President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday rewarded the victorious Nigeria U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, with a savings certificate worth One Hundred Million Naira for each player, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, in a grand reception held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The announcement of the mouth-watering reward was made by the Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who received the world champions at the State House in Abuja on behalf of President Tinubu, who was said to be attending to other pressing state matters at the time of the reception but delegated his wife to host the girls.

According to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, each of the players who made Nigeria proud in Morocco will receive a savings certificate worth N100 million each domiciled with Guaranty Trust Bank, GTBank, as a form of investment for their future, while the head coach of the team will receive a cash reward of N100 million for his tactical brilliance and leadership.

She further explained that other members of the team’s technical crew, including assistant coaches, medical staff, administrative officials and other backroom staff who contributed to the success of the team in Morocco, will each receive the sum of Fifty Million Naira as appreciation from the Federal Government for their dedication and commitment to national glory.

The presidential reception, which was held at the prestigious Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, was attended by top government officials, captains of industry, sports administrators and members of the football family, who all came to celebrate the young ladies who have brought honour, glory and global recognition to Nigeria through football.

Among the dignitaries present at the colourful reception were the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, who represented the Vice President’s office, the Minister of Women Affairs, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Minister of State for Education, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service and other top government functionaries.

Also present at the event were the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, members of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, led by its President, parents and guardians of some of the players, as well as journalists and other well-wishers who thronged the Villa to catch a glimpse of the world champions.

Nigeria had made history last Saturday in Morocco by defeating football powerhouse Japan 2-1 in a pulsating, tension-soaked final match, thereby becoming the first African nation, male or female at any age grade, to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, a feat that has been described as unprecedented, monumental and a watershed in African football history.

The victory over Japan, which is renowned for its disciplined, technical and tactical approach to football, was particularly sweet for Nigerians, as the Flamingos had to fight from behind, show character, resilience and determination to overcome the Japanese girls who had dominated the competition from the group stage and were tipped as favourites to win the trophy.

With the historic win, the Flamingos have not only etched their names in gold in the annals of Nigerian football history but have also broken the jinx that had prevented African teams from winning the U-17 Women’s World Cup since its inception in 2008, a jinx that had seen Nigeria’s best performances being third-place finishes in previous editions.

Speaking on behalf of President Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu said the President was extremely proud of the Flamingos and was delighted that the girls have brought honour to the country, noting that their victory is a testament to the can-do spirit of Nigerian youth, the efficacy of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the importance of investing in the girl-child and youth development.

She said President Tinubu had been following the progress of the team from the group stage to the final and was particularly impressed by their discipline, team spirit, patriotism and commitment to national duty, adding that their success has inspired millions of young girls across Nigeria and Africa to believe that they can achieve greatness through sports.

The First Lady, who is also a former Senator and a strong advocate of girl-child education and women empowerment, said the Federal Government will continue to support women’s football and youth sports development, noting that the Flamingos’ victory will serve as a catalyst for more investment in women’s football, grassroots sports and talent discovery across the country.

She commended the coaching crew led by the head coach for their tactical acumen, discipline, fatherly guidance and ability to mold the girls into a formidable, winning team within a short period of time, despite limited resources, limited preparation time and other challenges that confront youth football development in Nigeria, describing their achievement as a miracle.

Senator Tinubu also praised the Nigeria Football Federation for providing the necessary support, logistics and enabling environment for the team to excel in Morocco, noting that the NFF’s commitment to women’s football is beginning to yield positive results, as evidenced by the Flamingos’ World Cup triumph and the recent improved performances of the Super Falcons at international level.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission thanked President Tinubu for his magnanimity, generosity and fatherly gesture towards the Flamingos, noting that the cash rewards will go a long way in motivating the girls to aim higher, work harder and aspire to achieve more laurels for the country at the U-20 and senior national team levels in future competitions.

He assured the President that the Sports Commission will ensure that the savings certificates are properly invested and managed to secure the future of the girls, adding that the Commission will also work with the NFF to ensure that the World Cup-winning squad is kept together, nurtured and graduated to the next level to ensure continuity and sustained success for Nigerian women’s football.

The head coach of the team, who spoke on behalf of the players and technical crew, expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and the Federal Government for the honour, recognition and generous reward, saying the gesture will remain indelible in their hearts and will motivate them to do more for the country in future assignments.

He said the players and officials were overwhelmed by the reception accorded to them at the State House and promised that they will not rest on their oars but will continue to work hard, remain disciplined and be good ambassadors of Nigeria wherever they find themselves, as they prepare for future challenges at the U-20 World Cup and other international competitions.

Some of the players who spoke at the reception, including the captain of the team and Mary Dunstan Akpan, the Akwa Ibom-born forward who scored a crucial goal against Mexico during the tournament, thanked President Tinubu and the First Lady for believing in them and for honouring them, saying the reward will change their lives and those of their families forever.

They also thanked Nigerians for their support, prayers and encouragement throughout the duration of the World Cup in Morocco, noting that the love, solidarity and goodwill they received from Nigerians at home and in the diaspora gave them the extra motivation, courage and confidence to go all the way and win the trophy for the country against all odds.

The reception at the State House ended with a group photograph of the Flamingos with Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Hajia Nana Shettima and other top government officials, as well as presentation of the World Cup trophy to the First Lady, who in turn promised to present it to President Tinubu upon his return to the Villa, amid cheers, jubilation and singing of the national anthem.

Meanwhile, Nigerians across the country have continued to celebrate the Flamingos’ historic achievement, with many describing President Tinubu’s reward as well-deserved, timely and a major boost for women’s football development in the country, while calling on state governors, corporate organisations and well-meaning individuals to also reward the girls for making Nigeria proud on the world stage.

The Flamingos’ victory has also sparked renewed calls for increased investment in women’s football, grassroots sports development, provision of modern training facilities and early preparation for international competitions, with stakeholders arguing that with proper planning, funding and support, Nigeria can dominate women’s football at all levels and win more laurels for the country.

As the girls savour their moment of glory and enjoy the largesse from the Federal Government, attention has now shifted to how the NFF and the National Sports Commission will manage the transition of the players to the U-20 and senior national teams, to ensure that the talent, experience and winning mentality acquired in Morocco are not wasted but utilised for the overall development of Nigerian football.

For the players, particularly those from humble backgrounds who have now become millionaires overnight courtesy of President Tinubu’s gesture, the future looks bright, promising and full of opportunities, as they have not only become world champions but have also secured their financial future with the N100 million savings certificate, a gesture that will forever be remembered in the history of Nigerian sports.