Dr Betta Edu and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) Directorate of Women Mobilisation have applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to reward each member of Nigeria’s U-17 female national team, the Flamingos, with a ₦100 million five-year savings bond following their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The women leaders also commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for receiving the victorious players at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, describing her encouragement and the President’s generous reward as powerful messages of recognition, empowerment and inspiration to Nigerian women and girls.
The Flamingos made history on November 7, 2026, when they defeated Japan 2–1 in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, becoming the first African country to win the women’s competition.
The achievement also made Nigeria the first African nation to win FIFA U-17 World Cup titles in both the men’s and women’s categories, marking a historic milestone for African football.
Goals from Awawu Bashiru in the 39th minute and Oluebube Umejiaku in the 47th minute secured Nigeria’s memorable victory, despite Japan’s late attempt to stage a comeback.
Receiving the champions on behalf of President Tinubu, the First Lady praised their discipline, teamwork, determination and humility, describing their achievement as a source of national pride and inspiration.
President Tinubu subsequently rewarded each player with a ₦100 million five-year savings bond in recognition of their outstanding contribution to Nigerian sports and their historic achievement on the global stage.
Dr Betta Edu and other leaders of the APC PCC Women Mobilisation Directorate, who joined the First Lady in welcoming the champions, said the presidential reward and the First Lady’s show of support underscored the administration’s recognition of the enormous potential of Nigerian girls and women.
They noted that the Flamingos’ victory had gone beyond football, demonstrating that Nigerian girls could compete with the best in the world and emerge victorious when provided with the necessary opportunities, encouragement, investment and institutional backing.
According to them, the achievement reinforces the need for sustained investment in the girl child through sports, education, entrepreneurship, leadership development and other empowerment initiatives capable of unlocking women’s potential.
The women leaders further described Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s commitment to women’s empowerment, social inclusion and youth development as a source of encouragement to millions of Nigerian women, particularly those striving to overcome social and economic challenges.
They congratulated the players, their technical crew, coaches and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for their dedication and contributions to the historic achievement.
The Directorate urged the young champions to remain focused and sustain the discipline, courage and determination that propelled them to the summit of world football.
It also called on Nigerian women and girls to draw inspiration from the Flamingos’ remarkable journey, stressing that their success had demonstrated that no dream was beyond reach when the right opportunities and support systems were available.
The women leaders maintained that the victory should serve as a rallying point for greater investment in female talents and the creation of an enabling environment where Nigerian girls could excel in sports, education, business, public service and other fields of human endeavour.
They reaffirmed their support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, urging Nigerians to sustain confidence in the administration’s commitment to national development and women’s advancement.
“Vote President Tinubu, let the cups keep flowing in!” the women leaders declared.