Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has raised serious concerns over what he describes as the “brutal unfairness” of life and compensation in Nigeria—particularly in the treatment of long-serving police officers.
In a strongly-worded statement, Sowore drew a sharp contrast between the meagre N2 million gratuity often paid to police officers after 35 years of service, and the N150 million reward recently announced for the Super Falcons following a single tournament appearance.
“How can a country reward a football team with N150 million after one outing and turn around to pay a police officer just N2 million after risking his life for 35 years? That’s not only shameful—it’s a moral disaster,” Sowore said.
While acknowledging the importance of celebrating sporting achievements, Sowore stressed that the welfare of those who serve and protect the nation daily should never be sidelined.
He also noted that many retired officers struggle with poverty, unpaid pensions, and health complications—issues that reflect broader systemic neglect within the Nigerian civil service structure.
“We can’t continue to treat those who keep us safe like disposable tools,” he added. “It’s not about either sports or security—it’s about building a country where hard work and sacrifice are valued fairly across all sectors.”
Sowore called for urgent reforms in the remuneration, pension systems, and post-retirement benefits for police officers and other public servants. He also urged the public to reflect on the country’s priorities and join in advocating for a more just and balanced system.