Photo: The Flamingos lift the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup trophy in Morocco — FIFA Women's World Cup / Instagram, via BellaNaija
FLAMINGOS WATCH — The Senate has announced a 100 million naira reward for Nigeria's Flamingos, the U-17 women's team that won the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio saying the money will be given to the players immediately.
Akpabio announced the National Assembly donation during plenary in Abuja on Tuesday. It followed a motion by Senator Abdul Ningi, chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, asking the chamber to congratulate and properly reward the team.
What Akpabio told the Senate
"From the National Assembly, even if we don't have anything to give these children, we will make a token of 100 million naira to them immediately," Akpabio said.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole commended the players for defeating Japan in the final. The Senate adopted Ningi's prayers, congratulating President Bola Tinubu on his support for sports, Nigerians on the victory, and the National Sports Commission leadership under Shehu Dikko.
Why the Flamingos' win is historic
The Flamingos beat Japan 2-1 in Saturday's final in Rabat to become the first African team ever to win the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
The Senate reward is separate from the 50,000-dollar private gift the team received after the final. FIFA pays no winner's prize money at this tournament, which is why the question of what the players would receive has followed the team since the final.
What the Senate wants the Federal Government to do
The senators urged the Federal Government to reward the players adequately as well, and to do so promptly. Ningi's motion noted that a previous government pledge to another national team took many months to be redeemed.
What happens next
The Flamingos' presidential reception is still to be scheduled. Whether the Senate's 100 million naira reaches the players as quickly as promised — and what the Federal Government adds — are the next chapters of FLAMINGOS WATCH.
Credit: BusinessDay, reporting the News Agency of Nigeria (Nov 10, 2026); Voice of Nigeria (Nov 10, 2026); The Sun Nigeria (Nov 10, 2026).
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