The Flamingos, Nigeria's under-17 women's football team, have been welcomed at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after winning the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

The reception

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu received the players and officials on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, in what was described as a celebratory homecoming visit and the federal government's formal recognition of the team's achievement.

₦100 million each

During the visit, the First Lady announced that the President was giving each player a ₦100 million savings certificate. The money will be held in trust in designated bank accounts until each player turns 18, so the teenage champions will not have immediate access to it. The reward was extended to the coaching staff: the head coach will receive ₦100 million in cash and each member of the technical crew ₦50 million.

The win

The Flamingos beat Japan 2–1 in the final in Morocco on Saturday, 7 November, with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku, becoming the first African side to win the tournament. After losing their opening game to Poland, they won five matches in a row, including victories over defending champions North Korea, Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil. The win means Nigeria has now won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in both the men's and women's competitions.

Rewards

The Senate has also pledged ₦100 million to the team, and the players had earlier received $50,000 in cash. FIFA does not award prize money at this level, so rewards depend on governments and sponsors.

Harry Kane has become the first Ballon d'Or winner to be left out of the FIFPRO Men's World XI in the same year.

What happened

The team, voted for by professional players around the world and announced on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, did not include the Bayern Munich and England striker, who won the 2026 Ballon d'Or after scoring 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country. Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé were among the forwards chosen ahead of him.

A first

It is the first time since the FIFPRO World XI was introduced in 2005 that the reigning Ballon d'Or winner has failed to make the team.

Background

The Ballon d'Or is voted for by journalists, while the FIFPRO World XI is chosen by fellow players, and the two awards do not always agree. Kane joined Bayern Munich from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023 and has been one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe since.

The Senate has set aside ₦100 million for the Flamingos, Nigeria's under-17 women's football team, after their victory at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

What happened

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the reward during plenary on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, as the chamber considered a congratulatory motion moved by Senator Abdul Ningi of the ADC, who represents Bauchi Central. Ningi described the team's win as historic, saying the young players had achieved what many senior national teams had not, despite going into the tournament with little public attention. He said the players deserved far more publicity and a proper reception on their return.

Background

The Flamingos beat Japan 2-1 in the final in Rabat, Morocco, on 7 November to become the first African team to win the tournament, and Nigeria's first FIFA world champions in women's football at any level. FIFA does not pay prize money for the competition, but a sponsor of the National Sports Commission gave the team $50,000 in Rabat. NDC candidate Peter Obi said NFF officials stopped him from greeting the team at Abuja airport, a claim the Presidency said politicised the national teams.

Shirley U. Emehelu, a lawyer born in Nigeria, has been appointed lieutenant governor of New Jersey in the United States.

The appointment

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill appointed Emehelu on Monday, 9 November 2026, making her the state's fifth lieutenant governor and the first immigrant to hold the office. She was sworn in at the Statehouse in Trenton by the state's Chief Justice, Stuart Rabner. The appointment also means that, for the first time in New Jersey's history, women hold the state's two highest executive offices at the same time. Emehelu will also serve as Secretary of State, a role that covers government administration and oversight of elections.

Why she was chosen

Sherrill described Emehelu as an experienced public servant and pointed to her record prosecuting financial crimes, protecting consumers, defending civil rights and tackling government waste. The governor also praised her leadership as acting Secretary of State, including overseeing the state's recent elections.

Her Nigerian roots

Emehelu, who moved from Nigeria to the United States as a child, said she was proud of what the appointment means for Black women, immigrants and people who share her Nigerian heritage, and expressed hope that it would inspire young people to serve. She said she would work with the governor on the cost of living and economic opportunity.