President Bola Tinubu has approved a ₦100 million reward for every member of the Flamingos squad, following Nigeria’s victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The announcement was made on Wednesday when the players and their coaching staff visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja. First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, delivered the news on behalf of the President.
Addressing the gathering, she said Nigeria was proud of the young players and their achievement, adding that the funds would be held in trust for them at designated banks.
The package also covers the team’s handlers. The head coach will receive ₦100 million, while each member of the technical crew will get ₦50 million.
Nigeria clinched the title by defeating Japan 2-1 in the final.
The presidential gesture followed a similar move by the Senate, which on Tuesday, November 10, approved a ₦100 million donation to the team.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the approval during plenary, after the upper chamber considered a motion by Senator Abdul Ningi (ADC, Bauchi Central) seeking national recognition for the Flamingos.
Ningi described the victory as historic, noting that the team had achieved what several other Nigerian national teams had failed to do. He also expressed concern over what he called inadequate publicity and recognition for the players, particularly since their return home.
Seconding the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) commended the team for beating Japan, describing the win as evidence of the determination and potential of Nigerian youths.
He urged Nigerians to celebrate the country’s successes instead of dwelling only on its challenges, and called on the Senate leadership to support the players financially so they could pursue education alongside football.
The Senate adopted Ningi’s prayers, congratulating President Tinubu for his support for sports development, as well as the National Sports Commission and its Chairman, Shehu Dikko.
It also urged the Federal Government to give the players appropriate rewards and compensation in recognition of their feat.
