BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

President Bola Tinubu has announced a massive financial reward for Nigeria's U-17 women's national team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco.

Under the reward package, each player will receive a ₦100 million savings certificate in recognition of the team's outstanding performance, while head coach Hakeem Busari is set to receive ₦100 million in cash.

Members of the technical crew have also been included in the presidential reward, with each receiving ₦50 million.

The announcement comes after the young Nigerian footballers achieved a milestone that had eluded the country and the entire African continent, defeating Japan 2-1 in Saturday's final in Rabat on November 7 to lift the championship trophy.

Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku were the heroines of the final, scoring the decisive goals that secured Nigeria's victory and made the Flamingos the first African side to win the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

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The triumph also represents Nigeria's first-ever FIFA World Cup title in women's football at any age category, placing the young team in the country's sporting history.

Their journey to the trophy was particularly remarkable, considering that the team began the competition with a 2-1 defeat to Poland before recovering strongly to win six consecutive matches and eventually emerge as champions.

The Flamingos' remarkable turnaround, determination and consistency throughout the tournament culminated in a historic achievement that has brought international recognition to Nigerian women's football.

Tinubu's reward is aimed at recognising the players' achievement, as well as the efforts of the coaching and technical teams that guided the country to its first world title in the competition.