Nigeria’s Senate has announced a ₦100 million donation to the country’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, in recognition of their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The financial reward was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday, November 10, following a motion seeking national recognition for the young footballers.
The motion was moved by Senator Abdul Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central, and called on the Senate to formally congratulate the players for their achievement and acknowledge their contribution to Nigerian and African football.
The Flamingos made history on November 7 after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final played in Rabat. Their victory made Nigeria the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Akpabio said the ₦100 million contribution from the National Assembly was intended to recognise the players’ performance and encourage them to continue representing the country at the highest level.
He also called on the Federal Government to provide appropriate rewards for the team and urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure that the players receive sustained support as they progress in their football careers.
Senators commend Flamingos for historic achievement
Presenting the motion, Ningi described the team’s World Cup success as a major milestone for Nigerian sports.
He argued that the players deserved greater public recognition, particularly because their achievement represented a breakthrough for African women’s football.
The senator also raised concerns about the level of attention and official reception given to the team following its return to Nigeria. He said the players should be celebrated adequately for bringing international recognition to the country.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, supported the motion and praised the team’s determination throughout the competition.
Oshiomhole particularly highlighted the Flamingos’ victory over Japan in the final, describing it as evidence of the ability of young Nigerian athletes to compete successfully against established football nations.
He urged the Senate leadership to consider a financial contribution that could help the players meet their educational needs while continuing their sporting development.
Following the debate, the Senate adopted the motion and congratulated the players, their coaches and the wider management team.
It also commended President Bola Tinubu for his support for sports development and acknowledged the work of the National Sports Commission, particularly its chairman, Shehu Dikko.
The lawmakers further called on the Federal Government to provide appropriate compensation and recognition for the players.
Akpabio urges NFF to develop the young champions
In his remarks, Akpabio said the Flamingos had achieved something significant by overcoming several respected football nations on their way to the title.
He mentioned their victories over teams such as Brazil and Japan, noting that their performance had demonstrated the quality and determination of Nigeria’s young footballers.
The Senate President also stressed that the achievement should not end with celebrations and financial rewards. He urged the NFF to keep supporting the players and create opportunities for them to develop into senior national team stars.
According to him, maintaining the progress of the squad would require continued attention from football administrators and other stakeholders.
Akpabio also appealed to wealthy Nigerians, private organisations and sports enthusiasts to contribute to the development of young athletes across the country.
He said supporting talented players would encourage more children, particularly girls, to pursue sporting careers and believe they could achieve success on the international stage.
How the Flamingos won the 2026 World Cup
Nigeria’s journey to the championship included a difficult start, as the team lost its opening group match 2-1 to Poland.
However, the players recovered from that setback and produced a series of strong performances to reach the final.
Their campaign included victories over Puerto Rico, defending champions North Korea, Mexico and Venezuela. They also defeated Brazil in the semi-final to secure a place in the title decider against Japan.
In the final, Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s advantage shortly after the restart.
Japan managed to reduce the deficit in the 79th minute, but the Nigerian side held on to secure a 2-1 victory and lift the trophy.
Umejiaku was also recognised for her outstanding performances during the tournament, receiving the Adidas Golden Ball award as the competition’s best player.
The victory was particularly significant because it ended Africa’s wait for a title in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Government and sports officials celebrate the team
The Senate’s announcement followed a series of congratulatory messages from senior Nigerian officials after the final.
President Tinubu praised the players for their determination and described their victory as an important moment for Nigerian and African women’s football.
Akpabio had also congratulated the team in a separate message, describing the players as Nigeria’s Golden Girls and encouraging stakeholders to invest in grassroots sports.
The National Sports Commission also hosted the team in Morocco following the final. During the celebration, businessman and sports sponsor Saleh Ahmadu presented the players with a $50,000 cash gift. The commission also announced that outstanding bonuses and allowances covering the team’s World Cup campaign had been facilitated for payment.
The Senate’s ₦100 million pledge adds to the recognition and rewards announced after the championship.
A new opportunity for Nigerian women’s football
Beyond the financial reward, the Flamingos’ achievement has renewed attention on the development of women’s football in Nigeria.
The country has a long history of success in women’s football, particularly through the senior Super Falcons, who have won multiple continental titles. The Flamingos’ world championship adds another milestone to that record and provides a platform for the next generation of players.
However, sustaining the team’s success will require more than celebrations. Continued investment in youth competitions, coaching, education, facilities and player welfare will be important in helping the footballers progress.
The Senate’s donation is a public recognition of the team’s achievement, while Akpabio’s call for sustained support places responsibility on football administrators and government institutions to help preserve the progress.
For the young champions, the victory in Morocco has already secured a place in Nigerian sporting history. The challenge ahead will be turning that breakthrough into long-term opportunities for the players and the wider development of women’s football.
