Each member of Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, is set to receive N100 million from President Bola Tinubu in recognition of the country’s maiden FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title.
The reward package also provides N100 million in cash for head coach Hakeem Busari, while members of the team’s technical crew will receive N50 million each. The players’ awards will be issued as savings certificates, Channels Television reported.
Nigeria made history on November 7 by defeating Japan 2-1 to claim the championship, with Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku finding the net in the final. The victory placed the country among the winners of the global youth competition for the first time and gave Africa its first title in the tournament.
The team’s route to the trophy included a recovery from an opening 2-1 loss to Poland, followed by victories over North Korea, Puerto Rico and Mexico. A 3-1 semi-final triumph against Brazil secured their first-ever appearance in the final.
The reward was announced by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu during a reception for the champions at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Abuja on Wednesday. She represented President Tinubu at the event and praised the players for their conduct and performance during the tournament.
The Senate had separately pledged N100 million to the team after its victory, following a motion moved by Senator Abdul Ningi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports.
