SNOW TV NEWS DESK
The Nigerian Senate has announced a ₦100 million donation to the country’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, in recognition of their historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the financial reward during plenary on Tuesday, November 10, following deliberations on a motion seeking national recognition and support for the young footballers.’
The motion was moved by Senator Abdul Ningi (ADC, Bauchi Central), who described the team’s achievement as a significant moment for Nigerian sports and expressed concern that the players had not received the level of public recognition their success deserved.
Ningi noted that the young women had achieved something several Nigerian national teams had struggled to accomplish, arguing that their victory should be celebrated beyond the football community.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), who seconded the motion, also praised the players for their determination and performance, particularly their victory over Japan in the final.
Oshiomhole urged Nigerians to celebrate achievements that bring honor to the country rather than focusing exclusively on its challenges. He also appealed for financial support to enable the players to pursue their education while developing their football careers.
The Senate subsequently adopted the motion, congratulating President Bola Tinubu, the National Sports Commission, and its chairman, Shehu Dikko, for their contributions to sports development.
Lawmakers also called on the federal government to provide appropriate rewards and compensation for the players.
Speaking during the proceedings, Akpabio described the Flamingos’ achievement as a major milestone for Nigeria and the African continent, highlighting their victories over established football nations, including Brazil and Japan.
The Senate President further urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to retain the squad and invest in their development rather than allowing the team to lose momentum after the tournament.
“The Nigerian Football Federation, under its leadership, should see the need to keep these children together and develop them further,” he said.
He also appealed to wealthy Nigerians, corporate organizations, and sports enthusiasts to support the young players and encourage greater participation in sports.
Beyond the ₦100 million donation, the Senate’s intervention has renewed attention on an important issue in Nigerian sports: what happens to young athletes after achieving international success?
For the Flamingos, winning the World Cup is only the beginning. Sustained investment in coaching, education, welfare, and professional development will be crucial to ensuring that the players can progress to the senior national team and build successful careers.
The challenge now is to ensure that the celebrations and financial rewards translate into lasting opportunities for the young champions.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
