Tinubu rewards Flamingos with ₦100m each after historic U-17 World Cup triumph

President Bola Tinubu has announced a ₦100 million Federal Government Savings Bond for each member of Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, in recognition of their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The reward was unveiled by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who represented the President at a special reception held in honour of the team following their remarkable achievement on the global stage.

Under the reward package, every member of the Flamingos squad will receive a ₦100 million Federal Government Savings Bond not to be cashed till they turn 18, while head coach Busari Hakeem Ishola is to be rewarded with ₦100 million in cash.

Members of the team’s technical crew will also receive ₦50 million each in cash for their contributions to Nigeria’s successful campaign.

Speaking at the reception, the First Lady praised the young players for their determination and remarkable response after losing their opening match, noting that they went on to record six consecutive victories to secure the title.

She also highlighted the humility, discipline, and respect the players displayed after the final, describing their conduct as an important part of what made their achievement special.

Beyond bringing home the trophy, Mrs Tinubu said the Flamingos had given millions of young Nigerian girls a reason to believe in their dreams, demonstrating that talent, hard work and determination could open doors to the biggest stages in world sport.

She said the team’s success would inspire the next generation of female footballers, encouraging them to pursue their ambitions without limits.

The First Lady also acknowledged the collective effort behind Nigeria’s historic campaign, extending her commendation to the coaching staff, technical and medical teams, administrators, parents and supporters who played different roles in the team’s journey.

The recognition reflects the significance of the Flamingos’ triumph, which marked a historic breakthrough for Nigeria and African women’s football. Their victory ended the continent’s long wait for a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title and established the young Nigerians as the first African champions in the competition’s history.

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Road to glory

The Flamingos recovered from a 2-1 opening defeat to Poland to win six consecutive matches and claim their first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title.

They defeated Puerto Rico, defending champions Korea DPR, Mexico and Venezuela before beating Brazil 3-1 in the semi-finals. In the final, goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku secured a 2-1 victory over Japan, making Nigeria the first African nation to win the competition.

For the players, the ₦100 million bond reward represents a significant recognition of their achievement, while the cash incentives for the head coach and technical crew acknowledge the work that went into building a team capable of conquering the world.

The Flamingos’ triumph has now moved beyond the football pitch, with the government’s reward package adding another chapter to a campaign that has brought pride to the country and renewed attention to the potential of young female footballers in Nigeria.