Nigeria’s Senate has announced a ₦100 million donation to the Flamingos following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the financial reward during Tuesday’s plenary session, November 10, as lawmakers called for national recognition and appropriate rewards for the victorious Nigerian team.
Akpabio said the National Assembly would make the donation immediately in recognition of the players’ outstanding achievement, which has earned Nigeria a historic place in women’s youth football.
“From the National Assembly, even if we don’t have anything to give these children, we will make a token of ₦100 million to them immediately,” he declared.
He congratulated President Bola Tinubu, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the players for their contributions to the team’s success, while appealing to wealthy Nigerians, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support the young champions.
The announcement followed a motion sponsored by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), who urged the government to give the Flamingos adequate recognition and reward their achievement.
Ningi commended the players for overcoming several highly rated opponents to accomplish what no African country had previously achieved in the competition.
The Flamingos made history on Saturday after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, becoming the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s advantage shortly after the restart. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian youngsters held on to secure the title.
Under head coach Hakeem Busari, the Flamingos produced an impressive comeback after losing their opening group match 2-1 to Poland, winning their next six games to lift the trophy.
Their title-winning campaign included victories over Puerto Rico and defending champions Korea DPR in the group stage, followed by knockout triumphs against Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil.
The victory also made Nigeria the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s FIFA U-17 World Cup titles.
The Senate’s ₦100 million pledge adds to the growing recognition of the Flamingos’ historic achievement, following congratulatory messages from President Tinubu and other government officials.
