President Bola Tinubu has announced a cash reward of N100 million for each member of Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The reward was announced on Wednesday when the victorious players and their coaching officials visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who announced the reward on behalf of the president, said the country was proud of the young champions.
She explained that the money would be kept in trust for the players in designated banks.
The head coach of the team will also receive N100 million, while members of the technical crew will get N50 million each.
The presidential reward comes a day after the Senate announced a donation of N100 million to the team in recognition of its historic achievement.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the donation during plenary on Tuesday while presiding over a motion moved by Senator Abdul Ningi (ADC, Bauchi Central), seeking recognition for the victorious players.
Ningi described the triumph as historic, noting that the young Nigerians had achieved what several other national teams had struggled to accomplish.
He also expressed concern that the team’s achievement had not received adequate publicity and national recognition, particularly following their return to the country.
Seconding the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) commended the players for defeating Japan in the final, describing their victory as a demonstration of the potential and determination of Nigerian youths.
He urged the Senate leadership to support the players financially to cater for their educational needs alongside their sporting careers.
The Senate subsequently adopted the motion, congratulating the team, President Tinubu and the National Sports Commission, particularly its chairman, Shehu Dikko.
Akpabio urged the Federal Government to adequately reward the players and called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sustain the team and develop the young talents for future competitions.
He also appealed to wealthy Nigerians and sports enthusiasts to support the players.
The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in the final in Rabat, Morocco, to secure the historic title.
