Nigeria’s historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup champions, the Flamingos, received formal national recognition on Tuesday as the Senate announced a ₦100 million gesture to support their educational and athletic development.
The motion, brought to the floor by Senator Abdul Ningi, raised concerns that the young squad’s ground-breaking triumph in Rabat had gone without adequate public acknowledgment or formal government reception.
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“The team’s triumph was particularly remarkable given the limited expectations surrounding the players before the competition,” Ningi noted, urging the red chamber and the federal government to grant the squad the celebration they earned.
Supporting the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole called the final win against Japan a shining example of youth potential, urging the Senate to back the players beyond the pitch.
Wrapping up the session, Senate President Godswill Akpabio lauded the team for delivering Africa’s first-ever U-17 Women’s World Cup title.
He noted that the N100 million donation by the National Assembly was intended to recognise the players’ achievement and encourage them to continue bringing honour to the country.
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“I want to commend the Flamingos, the Under-17 youth team of Nigeria, for defeating major countries such as Brazil and Japan to win the Under-17 World Cup for Africa for the first time and for Nigeria.
“We also urged, and we pray that the federal government will recognise these children accordingly and give them adequate rewards.
“The Nigerian Football Federation, under its leadership, should see the need to keep these children together and develop them further,” Akpabio said.
