RismadarVoice Reporters
November 11, 2026
President Bola Tinubu has announced Federal Government savings bonds worth ₦100 million each for members of Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The team’s head coach will also receive a savings certificate valued at ₦100 million, while each member of the technical crew will receive ₦50 million in cash.
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu announced the rewards on Wednesday during a reception for the players and officials at the State House, Abuja, where she represented the President.
The Flamingos made history on November 7 after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final in Rabat, Morocco, becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, explained that the decision to reward the players with savings bonds rather than immediate cash payments was intended to protect their financial future.
According to him, the bonds would run for approximately five years, allowing the young footballers to receive investment returns while preserving the principal amount until maturity.
Dikko said the bonds were expected to generate annual interest of approximately 12 to 14 per cent, providing each player with an estimated monthly income exceeding ₦1 million, depending on the applicable rate and payment arrangements.
He explained that the investment structure would help the players meet educational, training and family expenses without exposing them to the risks associated with receiving large sums of money at a young age.
The sports commission chairman noted that most members of the team were teenagers and would be better positioned to make independent financial decisions when the investments matured.
He also addressed questions concerning the future of the players and coaching staff, explaining that decisions would depend on their eligibility for subsequent age-grade competitions.
Dikko said retaining the coaching structure or allowing players to progress with their coaches to higher age categories would be considered as part of their development.
The presidential rewards follow an earlier ₦100 million donation pledged by the Nigerian Senate in recognition of the team’s achievement.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the separate donation on Tuesday, urging continued investment in women’s football and youth development.
Nigeria’s historic victory has attracted national recognition, with attention now turning to sustaining the players’ development and preparing them for future international competitions.
