Nigerian Senate has announced a donation of N100 million to the country’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Gatekeepers News reports that Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the financial reward during plenary on Tuesday, November 10, while presiding over a motion sponsored by Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central.
Ningi, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, described the team’s achievement as historic, noting that the young players had accomplished what several other Nigerian national teams had struggled to achieve.
He expressed concern that the team’s victory had not received adequate publicity and national recognition, insisting that the players deserved to be celebrated for bringing honour to Nigeria and Africa.
Seconding the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, commended the players for defeating Japan in the final and urged Nigerians to celebrate the country’s sporting achievements.
Oshiomhole also appealed to the Senate leadership to support the players financially, particularly in meeting their educational needs alongside their football careers.
Announcing the donation, Akpabio said the N100 million was intended to recognise the team’s achievement and encourage the players to continue bringing honour to the country.
He said, “From the National Assembly, even if we do not have anything else to give these children, we will make a token of N100 million to them immediately.”
The Senate President also urged the Federal Government to adequately reward the players and called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to keep the team together and continue developing the young talents for future international competitions.
The lawmakers further appealed to wealthy Nigerians, business leaders and sports enthusiasts to support the players and encourage more young people to participate in sports.
The Flamingos made history on Saturday, November 7, after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final in Morocco to become the first African team 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 lead shortly after the restart. Japan scored a late goal in the 80th minute but could not find an equaliser.
The victory also marked Nigeria’s first-ever global title in women’s football and made the country the first African nation to win both the men’s and women’s FIFA U-17 World Cup titles.
