Tinubu Rewards Each Flamingos Player ₦100m After FIFA U-17 World Cup Victory
President Bola Tinubu has announced a cash reward of ₦100 million for each member of Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory over Japan in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The announcement was made on Wednesday when the victorious players and their coaching officials visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja to receive presidential recognition for their achievement.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who announced the reward on behalf of the President, said the Federal Government was proud of the young footballers and their historic accomplishment.
She explained that the money would be placed in trust for the players in designated banks.
In addition to the players, the team’s head coach will receive ₦100 million, while each member of the technical crew will be rewarded with ₦50 million.
Senate Announces ₦100m Donation to Flamingos
The presidential reward comes a day after the Senate announced a ₦100 million donation to the team in recognition of its historic achievement.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the donation during Tuesday’s plenary while presiding over a motion sponsored by Senator Abdul Ningi (ADC, Bauchi Central), seeking national recognition for the victorious players.
Ningi described the team’s triumph as historic, observing that the young Nigerian footballers had accomplished what several other national teams had struggled to achieve.
He also expressed concern that the team’s remarkable performance had not received sufficient publicity and national recognition, particularly following their return to Nigeria.
Seconding the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) praised the players for defeating Japan in the final, describing their victory as evidence of the potential, determination and capabilities of Nigerian youths.
Oshiomhole urged the Senate leadership to provide financial support for the players, particularly to help them meet their educational needs while pursuing their sporting careers.
The Senate subsequently adopted the motion, congratulating the Flamingos, President Tinubu and the National Sports Commission, particularly its chairman, Shehu Dikko.
Akpabio Calls for More Support for Young Footballers
Following the adoption of the motion, Akpabio urged the Federal Government to ensure that the players received adequate rewards for their achievement.
He also called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sustain the team and invest in developing the young talents to prepare them for future international competitions.
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The Senate President further appealed to wealthy Nigerians and sports enthusiasts to support the players and contribute to their development.
Flamingos Make History in Morocco
The Flamingos secured the historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final played in Rabat, Morocco.
The victory marked a significant milestone for Nigerian women’s football and earned the young players national recognition, including financial rewards from the Federal Government and the National Assembly.
