President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s Flamingos after their historic 2-1 victory over Japan in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
Nigeria’s triumph marks the country’s first-ever title at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and makes the Flamingos the first African team to win the competition.
The achievement also surpasses Nigeria’s previous best finish, a third-place position recorded in 2022.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the victory as a proud moment for Nigeria and a landmark achievement for women’s football on the African continent.
The President said he received news of the victory after returning from campaign engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.
“What wonderful news to return home to! Our young girls have conquered the world and given Nigerians everywhere another reason to celebrate our great country,” Tinubu said.
He praised the players for displaying courage, discipline, determination and what he described as the Nigerian spirit of never giving up.
According to him, he followed the team’s progress throughout the tournament and recalled that the players had promised after their semi-final victory over Brazil to return home with the trophy.
“They believed in themselves, fought for one another and carried our nation’s flag to the very top of the world,” he said.
Tinubu also described the victory as an inspiration to millions of Nigerian girls who aspire to achieve greatness, saying the Flamingos had demonstrated what could be achieved through hard work, opportunity and determination.
The President specifically commended Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku, whose goals secured Nigeria’s historic victory.
Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s advantage two minutes after the restart.
Japan’s Fuki Ito pulled one back in the 80th minute, but the Flamingos held on to secure the title.
Tinubu extended his congratulations to the entire squad, as well as the coaching crew, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and National Sports Commission for their contributions to the team’s successful campaign.
He further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to grassroots sports development and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians, particularly girls, to discover, develop and fulfil their potential.
“Today, Nigeria celebrates you. You have written your names in gold, and your country is immensely proud of you,” the President said.
“Congratulations once again, Flamingos. Thank you for making Nigeria proud.”
Nigeria’s victory came after an impressive campaign that saw the Flamingos defeat Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final to reach their first-ever final in the competition.
FIFA had described the semi-final victory as a dominant performance that secured Nigeria’s historic place in the decider.
The final victory now gives Nigeria its maiden FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup crown and establishes the Flamingos as Africa’s first champions in the tournament.
