Former First Vice-President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Seyi Akinwunmi, has applauded President Bola Tinubu’s sports development agenda and the National Sports Commission (NSC) following the Flamingos’ historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Akinwunmi, who also served as Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, described Nigeria’s victory over Japan in the final as a landmark achievement for the country and African football.
He said the feat demonstrated the importance of sustained investment in grassroots sports and youth development, particularly opportunities for young female footballers.
Speaking in Lagos after the final, Akinwunmi attributed part of the success to the Federal Government’s renewed attention to sports development and the reforms being pursued by the NSC under Tinubu’s administration.
“This victory did not happen by chance. President Tinubu gave sports a clear mandate. Sports is no longer just leisure. It is a national asset. It is a tool for youth empowerment,” he said.
He added that the NSC had brought greater structure, accountability and long-term planning to grassroots sports development.
For Akinwunmi, the victory was more than a trophy, describing it as the reward for years of advocacy for a sustainable pathway for young footballers, especially girls.
“This is not just a trophy. This is history. This is Africa’s first. This is Nigeria showing the world that our girls can be the best in the world,” he said.
He recalled his Let The Children Play initiative, saying it was conceived as a platform to promote the development of young talents, including the girl child.
According to him, the vision also contributed to the development of female football in Lagos State, which produced successive captains of the Super Falcons during his time in football administration.
Akinwunmi, who has consistently advocated increased investment in youth and women’s football, said the Flamingos’ achievement reinforced the need to identify and nurture talents from an early age.
During his tenure in football administration, he championed the Let The Children Play initiative, promoted the NFF/Zenith U-15 Women Competition and advocated early identification and development of female footballers from the age of 13.
As Chairman of the NFF Youth Development Committee, he also developed a Youth Development Policy aimed at creating a progression pathway for players from the under-13 category through the under-15, under-17 and under-20 levels.
The policy focused on long-term player development, rather than immediate results, by providing young talents with the support and opportunities needed to reach the highest levels of the game.
“Give a girl a ball, give her education, give her a chance. She will give you a World Cup,” he said.
The former NFF vice-president also commended the leadership of the NSC under its Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade.
He said improved preparation and attention to athletes’ welfare contributed to the team’s performance, citing organised camping, international friendly matches, sports science support and timely payment of players’ allowances.
“When you treat athletes with dignity, they will give their all on the pitch for Nigeria,” he said.
Akinwunmi further noted that the commission’s reform agenda reflected key principles contained in his Football First blueprint, which he developed during his time at the NFF.
The blueprint prioritised grassroots football, youth development, stronger domestic leagues, effective administration and the economic sustainability of the sport.
“Focus on grassroots football, focus on youth development. Focus on the leagues, focus on proper organisation, focus on the economy of football. Trophies will follow. Today, the trophy has followed,” he said.
He urged the government and football authorities to sustain investment in women’s football, grassroots competitions and structured talent development to ensure that Nigeria continues to produce players capable of excelling on the global stage.
