2026 U-17 WWC: Akpabio hands Flamingos N100m cash
Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s Team Honored for Historic FIFA Win
ABUJA, Nigeria — Senate President Godswill Akpabio awarded a cash prize to Nigeria’s U-17 women’s football team during a reception at the National Assembly on Monday. The event followed the team’s receipt of the trophy for their victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Senate had passed a resolution the previous day to honor the team for their historic achievement as the first African nation to win the tournament. The Flamingos secured the championship by defeating Japan 2-1 in the final match held on Saturday at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco. They overcame significant competition, including a notable victory over Brazil during the tournament.
In his remarks, Akpabio praised the players as a source of pride for both Africa and the world. He encouraged them to stay united and urged the Nigeria Football Federation to support their development for a potential transition to the senior women’s national team, known as the Super Falcons.
During the reception, which was attended by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and other lawmakers, Akpabio remarked on the broader implications of the team’s success, suggesting that it may reflect positively on the political fortunes of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the upcoming re-election campaign of President Bola Tinubu. “Perhaps, there is a special significance in the timing of your victory, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general election,” he stated.
