Senate President Godswill Akpabio has formally presented the Senate’s ₦100 million reward to Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Akpabio presented the reward on Wednesday, November 11, during a special reception held in honour of the players and their officials at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, where the team was also formally presented with the trophy they won at the tournament.
The presentation fulfilled the Senate’s pledge announced a day earlier during plenary after lawmakers adopted a motion recognising the team’s outstanding achievement.
The Flamingos made history by becoming the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after defeating Japan 2–1 in the final played on Saturday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.
Their victory also marked Nigeria’s first-ever global title in women’s football, placing the young players in the history books of African football.
Speaking at the reception, Akpabio congratulated the players, coaching crew and officials, describing them as the pride of Nigeria, Africa and the world.
He said the team had brought honour to the country through their determination, resilience and refusal to surrender after suffering defeat in their opening match.
According to the Senate President, the Flamingos demonstrated the Nigerian spirit by recovering from their initial setback to record six consecutive victories and eventually lift the trophy.
Akpabio recalled that the players could have become discouraged after losing their first match but instead responded with determination, winning their next six games to emerge world champions.
He urged them to maintain the same fighting spirit as they pursue further achievements in their football careers.
The Senate President also acknowledged the contributions of the coaching crew, team officials, parents and guardians, noting that the achievement reflected the collective sacrifices, commitment and support of everyone involved in the development of the young footballers.
He described the World Cup victory as a source of national pride and said the players had provided an opportunity for Nigerians to celebrate a major international sporting achievement.
Akpabio also called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) to ensure that the team remained together and received sustained support to protect the progress made in Morocco.
He urged the relevant authorities to organise regular training camps, provide qualified and experienced coaches, ensure adequate medical care and arrange domestic and international competitions to prepare the players for future challenges.
He said the young footballers should be properly developed with a clear pathway towards progressing into the senior national women’s team, the Super Falcons.
The Senate President further called for the establishment of more football academies across the country to identify and nurture young talents at an early age.
He disclosed that he had established a football academy where children as young as nine and 10 receive free education, scholarships and football training.
Akpabio also advised the players not to allow the celebrations and public attention surrounding their victory to distract them from their education.
He stressed that combining academic development with sporting excellence would provide the young women with a stronger foundation for their future, irrespective of how long their professional football careers lasted.
Beyond the sporting achievement, Akpabio highlighted the role of the Flamingos’ victory in promoting national unity, noting that Nigerians across different ethnic, religious and geographical backgrounds had come together to celebrate the team’s success.
He said the players had demonstrated how cooperation, mutual trust and collective responsibility could produce outstanding results, urging Nigerians to celebrate one another’s achievements irrespective of their backgrounds.
However, Akpabio also drew a political connection between the team’s victory and the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election prospects.
He suggested that the timing of the Flamingos’ World Cup triumph, as Nigeria approaches another general election, carried a special significance for the President and his administration.
The Senate President said the team’s success had provided an encouraging moment for the country and expressed optimism that Tinubu would secure another electoral victory.
Earlier, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central, described the Flamingos’ achievement as extraordinary and deserving of national recognition.
Ningi said the players had accomplished something that would remain part of Nigeria’s sporting history, adding that their names would be remembered for bringing joy and pride to the country.
He assured the team that the Senate and Nigerians would continue to recognise their contribution to the development of women’s football.
The Senate’s ₦100 million reward followed a motion sponsored by Ningi during Tuesday’s plenary, seeking recognition and support for the young footballers after their historic performance in Morocco.
During the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, appealed to the Senate leadership to provide financial support that would assist the players in pursuing their education alongside their sporting careers.
Akpabio subsequently announced the Senate’s ₦100 million donation, describing it as recognition of the players’ achievement and an encouragement for them to continue representing Nigeria with distinction.
He also called on the Federal Government, wealthy Nigerians, corporate organisations and other sports stakeholders to provide additional financial and institutional support for the team.
The Senate further commended President Bola Tinubu, the National Sports Commission under its chairman, Shehu Dikko, and the Nigeria Football Federation for their respective contributions to sports development and the team’s success.
The Senate’s reward came amid a separate financial recognition announced by President Tinubu. At a reception at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu announced that the President had approved ₦100 million for each Flamingos player, with the money to be held in trust in designated banks.
The President also approved ₦100 million for the team’s head coach, Akeem Busari, and ₦50 million for each member of the technical crew.
The separate presidential reward represents an additional recognition of the team’s achievement beyond the ₦100 million pledged by the Senate.
The Flamingos returned to Nigeria on Monday with the World Cup trophy after defeating Japan in the final, receiving widespread recognition for their performance.
Their journey to the title, particularly the recovery from their opening defeat and subsequent run of six consecutive victories, has been highlighted as a demonstration of determination and teamwork.
With the Senate now fulfilling its ₦100 million pledge and the Federal Government announcing additional rewards, attention has turned to ensuring that the young champions receive sustained support, proper development opportunities and a clear pathway to higher levels of international football.
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