President Bola Tinubu has rewarded each member of Nigeria’s Flamingos with a ₦100 million savings certificate following the team’s historic victory at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu announced the rewards on Wednesday at a reception for the victorious team at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Abuja, where she represented the President.
Under the reward package, the head coach will receive ₦100 million in cash, while each member of the technical crew will receive ₦50 million.
Senator Tinubu praised the Flamingos for winning six consecutive matches after their opening defeat and commended the players for displaying humility, discipline and respect following their triumph.
She said the historic victory would inspire young Nigerian girls and demonstrate that their ambitions could be achieved on the global stage.
The First Lady also recognised the contributions of the coaching crew, technical and medical personnel, administrators, parents and supporters whose efforts contributed to the team’s success.
Nigeria secured its first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title on November 7 after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final, with Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scoring the goals that sealed the historic victory.
The Flamingos began the tournament with a 2-1 defeat to Poland but recovered strongly, going on to defeat defending champions North Korea, Puerto Rico and Mexico.
Their place in the final was secured with a 3-1 victory over Brazil, giving Nigeria its first appearance in the competition’s final before the team defeated Japan to claim the trophy.
President Tinubu had earlier congratulated the players, describing Nigeria’s maiden triumph in the competition as a proud moment for the country and a landmark achievement for African women’s football.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said he received news of the victory after returning from campaign engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.
The Flamingos’ achievement has also attracted recognition from government officials and football supporters in Nigeria and beyond.
The Senate has separately pledged ₦100 million to the team.
The pledge followed a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi, who congratulated the players and commended the Nigeria Football Federation for its contribution to the historic achievement.
Flamingos’ success adds to a strong recent run for Nigeria’s women’s sports teams.
Less than two years ago, the Super Falcons won their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco, while in 2025, the D’Tigress claimed a historic FIBA Women’s Afrobasket title.
