The Senate has pledged ₦100 million to Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, while urging the Federal Government to reward the players at the same level as the Super Eagles.
The pledge was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary, following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) and seconded by Senator Olaka.
Akpabio said the National Assembly would immediately donate ₦100 million to the young champions in recognition of their achievement, which he described as a source of national pride.
“From the National Assembly, even if we don’t have anything to give these children, we will make a token of ₦100 million to them immediately,” he declared, drawing applause from lawmakers.
The Senate also called on the Federal Government to extend to the Flamingos the same level of financial recognition given to the Super Eagles following their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) achievement.
Leading the debate, Ningi said the young players had demonstrated exceptional determination and talent by emerging champions despite going into the competition without high public expectations.
He noted that their victory had restored national pride at a time when disappointments in international football had affected the confidence of many Nigerians.
“These young girls went to Rabat with no expectation from Nigerians. They have shown what Nigerian talent can do when given a chance,” Ningi said.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting sports development and acknowledged the contributions of the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, particularly its chairman, Shehu Dikko.
Akpabio urged the media to give the team greater visibility by consistently identifying them as the Nigerian Flamingos or Nigeria’s Under-17 girls, noting that their achievement deserved wider national recognition.
Seconding the motion, Senator Olaka said the victory was remarkable given the quality of opposition and the level of investment enjoyed by some of the countries defeated by the Nigerian side.
He warned against downplaying the achievement because it had not received sufficient media attention, urging Nigerians to celebrate the young players.
Olaka also appealed to state governors to reward players from their respective states, saying such recognition would encourage other young Nigerians to pursue excellence in sports.
Similarly, Senator Dafinone, representing Delta Central, said he had initially underestimated the team’s chances but was impressed by their performance, particularly their victory over Japan in the final.
Another lawmaker called for the technical and administrative officials who contributed to the team’s success to be included in the reward package. He also urged that the players’ educational needs be considered as part of efforts to support their future.
Adopting the motion, the Senate congratulated President Tinubu and Nigerians on the achievement and commended the National Sports Commission and its chairman, Shehu Dikko, for their contributions to sports development.
The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to provide appropriate financial rewards to the players and their officials, with Akpabio stressing that the Flamingos deserved the same level of recognition extended to the Super Eagles after their last AFCON triumph.
The amended prayer was seconded by Senator Titus Tartenger Zam, representing Benue North-West.
Akpabio also charged the NFF to sustain the team’s development by keeping the players together and providing the support needed to prepare them for progression into the senior national team.
He warned against allowing the players to disperse after their World Cup success, urging the football federation to place them under a structured development programme for future international competitions.
The Senate President further appealed to wealthy Nigerians, corporate organisations and sports enthusiasts to complement the National Assembly’s ₦100 million pledge with additional financial assistance.
He directed that contributions made during the debate be properly documented to preserve the record of the team’s achievement and the Senate’s response.
