By Ben Efe 10.11.2026
Nigeria’s Senate has made a pledged to reward the country’s U-17 women team for their heroic exploits of winning the FIFA U-17 Women World Cup.
Abdul Ningi who is the Senate sports committee chairman moved the motion to reward the team who on November 7, 2026, beat Japan 2-1 in Rabat, Morocco to achieve the feat of being the first for any African nation.
The Senate urged the sports authorities and the government to invest in youth sports development and provide the necessary support for the nation’s future champions.
Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission has denied blocking Nigeria Democratic Presidential candidate Peter Obi from congratulating the team when he had a chance meeting with the Flamingos at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.
According to NSC chairman Shehu Dikko, Obi was nowhere near the team when they arrived at the airport terminal. He stated that two individuals dressed in NDC colours approached NSC and NFF officials with the request that Obi should be allowed take photographs with the players.
Dikko said the players arrived in Nigeria tired and a request for a meeting without prior notification was not feasible at the airport, so the officials put the well-being of the players in front before considering any request to meet them.
“These young champions should not be drawn into that political controversy and never deserved this from Mr. Obi,” Dikko said in a statement.
He added that Mr. Obi needs to apologise to the players because his statement has taken the shine out of their famous victory.