The Nigerian Senate has proposed a ₦100m financial reward for the country’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The proposal was presented during Tuesday’s plenary by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District.
Ningi said the proposed financial package was intended to recognise the players’ outstanding performance and reward their achievement in bringing international glory to Nigeria.
The proposal followed the team’s 2-1 victory over Japan in Saturday’s final, which earned Nigeria its first-ever title in the women’s U-17 World Cup and made the country the first African nation to win the competition since its establishment in 2008.
The Senate’s intervention adds to a growing list of recognitions and financial gestures extended to the young champions after their remarkable campaign.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio had earlier celebrated the team’s achievement, describing the players as Nigeria’s Golden Girls and worthy representatives of the country.
In his congratulatory message, Akpabio praised their determination, discipline and collective effort, noting that their triumph had given Nigerians a reason to celebrate.
“You have not only won a trophy; you have won the hearts of millions of Nigerians and inspired a generation of young girls to dream big, believe in themselves and reach for greatness,” he said.
He also urged sports authorities and other stakeholders to sustain investment in grassroots development to create opportunities for emerging talents.
Meanwhile, the Flamingos had earlier received a $50,000 cash gift from Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, a sponsor of the National Sports Commission, during a reception organised in Rabat, Morocco.
The reception was hosted by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, and its Director-General, Bukola Olopade. The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was also present.
In another development, the Presidency, through the National Sports Commission, facilitated the payment of outstanding bonuses and allowances owed to the players and officials for their participation in the competition, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
The payments reportedly covered the team’s journey from the preliminary qualifying stages through to the final.
The Flamingos’ triumph represents a significant milestone for Nigerian and African women’s football, ending years of dominance by other football nations in the youth competition.
Their victory also strengthens Nigeria’s position as the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s FIFA U-17 World Cup titles. The Golden Eaglets have previously won the boys’ competition five times.
The proposed ₦100m Senate reward, alongside other financial incentives, has renewed calls for sustained government support for youth sports, particularly in talent discovery, player welfare, coaching and international exposure.
For the Flamingos, the historic achievement has opened another chapter in Nigerian football, with expectations that the recognition will translate into lasting support for the players and the development of women’s football.
Source: Premium Times, November 10, 2026.
