Senate sets aside ₦100 million reward for World Cup-winning Flamingos
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.
- The Senate approved ₦100 million for the Flamingos.
- Senator Ningi said the team deserved more recognition.
- FIFA pays no prize money for the tournament.
