President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday said the Flamingos’ historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup signals victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Akpabio spoke while receiving the world champions at the National Assembly in Abuja, where he personally distributed the N100 million cash reward approved by the Senate for the players and their officials.
The Senate had at plenary on Tuesday passed a resolution to give N100 million to the victorious Flamingos and their officials.
“Perhaps, there is a special significance in the timing of your victory, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
“You brought this World Cup to us at this time, and we believe we have won the next election. For the President to receive you and welcome you in this manner means he will also receive a bigger trophy of re-election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
He expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu, who recently hosted the victorious team, would secure re-election in 2027, describing the timing of the Flamingos’ triumph as significant for the ruling party.
Akpabio disclosed that the National Assembly had committed N100 million to reward the players for their outstanding performance, while acknowledging President Tinubu’s separate promise of N100 million bonds for each member of the victorious team.
He described the President’s bond initiative as an enduring form of financial support that would provide long-term benefits for the young footballers.
The Senate President said the Flamingos’ achievement was particularly significant because they recovered from their opening defeat to record six consecutive victories and emerge world champions.
“When you lost your first match, some of you could have become discouraged. But you demonstrated the Nigerian spirit. You refused to remain down, stood up and fought, winning the next six matches to become world champions. No champion stays down. A true champion gets up, fights again and wins,” he said.
Recalling Nigeria’s famous comeback victory in the Miracle of Dammam, Akpabio said the young footballers had demonstrated that setbacks should not define the destiny of individuals or nations.
He said the Flamingos’ triumph had restored smiles to Nigerians at a time when the country needed positive stories, after Nigeria’s failure to qualify for recent major international competitions, including the men’s FIFA World Cup and the Women’s World Cup, had dampened enthusiasm.
Akpabio urged the Nigeria Football Federation, the National Sports Commission and other relevant authorities to ensure that the victorious team remained together and received sustained technical, medical and educational support.
“Do not allow this team to scatter. These girls are still very young, and the sky is not their limit. Regular training camps should be organised for them. Qualified and experienced coaches should be provided, alongside proper medical care,” he said.
He also challenged the NFF and sports administrators to establish more football academies across the country to identify and nurture young talents, disclosing that he had established an academy where children as young as nine and 10 receive free education, scholarships and football training.
Beyond the financial rewards, Akpabio stressed the importance of education, urging the Federal Government to ensure that the educational opportunities promised to the players were fully implemented, and advising the footballers not to allow celebrations to distract them from their academic pursuits.
He said Nigerians across ethnic, religious and geographical divides had celebrated the Flamingos’ victory, demonstrating that sports remained a powerful instrument for national integration. “One Nigerian’s success is a triumph for all Nigerians,” he said.
