Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has rewarded Nigeria’s historic U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, with ₦300 million, iPhone 18 Pro Max devices and other gifts following their triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Sanwo-Olu announced the reward package on Sunday during a special dinner reception for the world champions at Lagos House, Marina, where he hosted the players and their technical crew in recognition of their historic achievement.
Under the package, each player and member of the technical crew will receive ₦10 million, bringing the total cash reward to ₦300 million.
The players will also receive iPhone 18 Pro Max devices, headphones and bespoke outfits as part of the Lagos State Government’s recognition of their contribution to Nigerian and African football.
The gesture adds another significant reward to the growing list of financial incentives and recognition announced for the team since their historic victory in Morocco.
From opening defeat to world champions
The Flamingos secured Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title on November 7, defeating Japan 2-1 in the final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute before tournament Most Valuable Player Oluebube Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s advantage shortly after the restart.
Japan reduced the deficit through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, but Akeem Busari’s side held firm under late pressure to secure the trophy.
Their triumph completed one of the tournament’s remarkable turnarounds.
Nigeria’s campaign had started with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Poland, raising questions about their prospects in a competition where no previous champion had recovered from losing its opening match.
However, the young Nigerians responded with a 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico before producing a stunning 3-1 win against defending champions Korea DPR to announce their title credentials.
They subsequently defeated Mexico in the Round of 16 and edged Venezuela 1-0 in the quarter-finals, with Azeezat Oduntan converting a decisive 89th-minute penalty.
The Flamingos then delivered arguably their finest performance of the tournament, beating Brazil 3-1 in the semi-finals to reach their first-ever final.
They completed the historic mission by overcoming Japan, winning six consecutive matches after their opening-day setback.
The victory made Nigeria the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the first African nation to claim both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.
Nigeria’s previous best performance in the women’s competition was third place at the 2022 edition in India.
Federal Government, Senate lead reward package
Sanwo-Olu’s announcement comes after the Federal Government unveiled a substantial reward package for the victorious team during a presidential reception in Abuja on November 11.
President Bola Tinubu approved a ₦100 million Federal Government Savings Bond for each player, with the investment expected to generate monthly returns and remain intact after five years.
Head coach Akeem Ishola Busari received ₦100 million in cash, while assistant coaches and other members of the technical and administrative crew were allocated ₦50 million each.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, announced the package on the President’s behalf, praising the players for their resilience in recovering from their opening defeat to win the remaining six matches.
The Senate also rewarded the team with ₦100 million following a special reception hosted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The gesture followed a motion moved by Senator Abdul Ningi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, congratulating the Flamingos on their historic achievement.
Earlier cash reward and outstanding bonuses
The team had also received recognition immediately after winning the trophy in Morocco.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, and its Director General, Bukola Olopade, hosted the players and officials to a special celebration in Rabat.
At the reception, sports stakeholder and commission sponsor Saleh Ahmadu presented the team with a $50,000 cash gift.
The Presidency also directed the National Sports Commission to facilitate the payment of outstanding bonuses and allowances owed to the players and officials from the preliminary qualifying rounds through to the World Cup final.
Beyond the financial rewards, the tournament delivered individual recognition for Nigeria, with Umejiaku winning the adidas Golden Ball as the competition’s best player.
The forward scored four goals, including the decisive second goal against Japan in the final.
Her award further underlined Nigeria’s outstanding campaign, which ended with the Flamingos becoming the first African champions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
With Sanwo-Olu’s latest gesture, the celebrations surrounding the historic achievement have extended from Morocco to Abuja and now Lagos, as the country continues to recognise a generation of young players who have rewritten African football history.
