President Bola Tinubu has showered Nigeria’s Flamingos with huge cash rewards and savings after the team won the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. First Lady Remi Tinubu announced the package on behalf of the president on Wednesday, and she told the players that the celebration has only just begun.
First, the president awarded every player a savings certificate worth N100 million at GTBank. Next, he approved N100 million in cash for head coach Busari Hakeem. Finally, he gave each member of the technical crew N50 million in cash. Together, the rewards recognise a squad that made history for Nigeria and for Africa.
The First Lady opened her address with warm praise. She said the players’ “collective efforts have brought honor and pride to our nation,” and she described the package as a fitting thank-you from a grateful president. Moreover, she made clear that the money carries a purpose beyond celebration.
Because the players are still very young, the First Lady explained how the savings certificates work. “It’s money, but it’s held in trust for you,” she said. Consequently, the girls will keep the funds intact rather than spend them right away. In other words, the gift doubles as an early investment in their futures.
She also sounded a hopeful note about what lies ahead. “I believe that this is just the beginning of the celebration,” she said, and she thanked the team again for their sacrifice. Furthermore, she urged the girls to stay grounded in faith. “Always remember to pray,” she told them, and she asked God to bless their home states.
The rewards follow a remarkable run in Morocco. The Flamingos beat Japan 2-1 in the final in Rabat on Saturday, November 7, and they became the first African nation to win the tournament. Notably, they lost their opening match and still lifted the trophy, something no team had done before. Earlier, they beat Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final to reach their first-ever final.
The victory carries extra weight when viewed against Nigeria’s history. Before this tournament, the Flamingos’ best finish was third place in 2022, when they beat Germany on penalties in India. Now Nigeria has won the U-17 World Cup in both the men’s and women’s categories, because the Golden Eaglets have lifted the boys’ trophy five times. In addition, the triumph gives the country its first FIFA women’s world title.
Captain Harmony Chidi promised before the final that her side would deliver a maiden title, and her teammates kept that promise on the pitch. Meanwhile, the squad returned home earlier this week as fans across the country celebrated. Journalist Imran Muhammad was among the first to break news of the rewards on X, and the announcement spread quickly.
The gesture also highlights the growing strength of women’s football in Nigeria and across Africa. As a result, the players gain financial security while they chase their careers, and the technical crew receives well-earned recognition for guiding the team through a demanding tournament.
As the celebrations continue, the Flamingos have already secured their place in football history. Fans will now watch closely to see how these young stars build on their triumph, and the nation will surely keep cheering them on.
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