Each member of Nigeria’s victorious Flamingos team will receive ₦100 million from President Bola Tinubu following their triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The reward was announced on Wednesday by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, when the players and their coaching officials visited the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Recall that the Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 to win the competition.
Speaking during the reception, the First Lady said the country was proud of the young players for their achievement.
She explained that the money would be kept in trust for the players in designated banks.
The team’s head coach will also receive ₦100 million, while each member of the technical crew will get ₦50 million.
The announcement followed the team’s victory over Japan, which secured the World Cup trophy for Nigeria.
Naija News reports that Tinubu’s donation comes hours after the Nigerian Senate donated ₦100 million to the Flamingos following the country’s historic win at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the donation on Tuesday, November 10, during plenary after the Senate considered a motion moved by Senator Abdul Ningi (ADC, Bauchi Central), seeking national recognition for the team’s achievement.
Ningi described the win as historic, noting that the young players had accomplished what several other Nigerian national teams had struggled to achieve.
He, however, expressed concern over what he described as inadequate publicity and recognition for the players, particularly after their return to Nigeria.
Seconding the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) praised the Flamingos for defeating Japan in the final, describing their World Cup win as evidence of the determination and potential of Nigerian youths.
Oshiomhole urged Nigerians to celebrate the country’s achievements rather than focus only on its challenges. He also appealed to the Senate leadership to provide financial support for the players to help them pursue their education alongside their football careers.
The Senate adopted Ningi’s prayers, congratulating President Bola Tinubu on his support for sports development, as well as the National Sports Commission and its Chairman, Shehu Dikko.
It also urged the Federal Government to provide appropriate rewards and compensation for the players in recognition of their achievement.
