In a gesture recognising outstanding contributions to Nigerian football, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) national honour on retired Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong. The 32-year-old defender, who led Nigeria to a runner-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, received his official certificate on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, a day after the formal announcement and presentation to the team.
This honour forms part of a broader package of rewards promised by President Tinubu in February 2024 following the Super Eagles' impressive silver-medal finish. On Monday, December 22, 2025, in Fez, Morocco—hours before Nigeria's opening match at AFCON 2025—members of the 2023 squad received their national honour certificates, along with title documents for flats in Abuja or Lagos and plots of land in the Federal Capital Territory.
Most players were awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), while veterans Ahmed Musa and Victor Osimhen received the upgraded Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) due to prior MON honours. Troost-Ekong's MFR stands out as the highest in the group, explicitly for his Player of the Tournament accolade.
The presentation was handled by National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko, in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Dikko confirmed that all allocations, including Certificates of Occupancy, have been fully processed, fulfilling the President's commitment nearly two years later—a departure from past delays in redeeming such pledges.
Troost-Ekong, born in the Netherlands to a Nigerian father and Dutch mother, chose to represent Nigeria internationally in 2015 under the late coach Stephen Keshi. He earned over 70 caps, captaining the side in multiple tournaments before announcing his retirement in November 2025, citing a desire to focus on club football and family after a decade of service.
Despite stepping away from the national team, Troost-Ekong's message extended support to the current Super Eagles squad as they embarked on their AFCON 2025 campaign in Morocco. "As our Super Eagles begin their AFCON journey today, I wish the team every success. As promised, I’ll be supporting them all the way. I believe in this group, our nation, and what we can achieve," he stated, signing off as "William Troost-Ekong, MFR."
Nigeria kicked off their Group C campaign against Tanzania on December 23, 2025, at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, aiming for a fourth AFCON title amid redemption efforts following their failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament, running from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, is the first to span the Christmas and New Year period due to scheduling conflicts with the expanded FIFA Club World Cup.
The timely fulfilment of these rewards has been hailed as a morale booster for the team and a positive signal for Nigerian sports governance. Fans and analysts alike view the honours as fitting tributes to the "Class of 2024" squad that restored pride in Nigerian football during a challenging period.
Troost-Ekong's journey from youth academies in England and the Netherlands to becoming a national icon exemplifies the impact of diaspora players on the Super Eagles. His leadership, defensive solidity, and goal-scoring prowess from set pieces made him a cornerstone of recent Nigerian teams.
As AFCON 2025 unfolds, Troost-Ekong's recognition serves as inspiration for the current generation, underscoring the enduring rewards of dedication to the green and white jersey.
