President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his warm congratulations to Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, after they made history as the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The landmark achievement followed a thrilling 2-1 victory over Japan in the final played on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.
In an official press statement released on Saturday evening by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu expressed his deep pride in the team’s determination, discipline, and sportsmanship.
The President received the cheering news upon arriving back in Abuja following political campaign engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
”What wonderful news to return home to! Our young girls have conquered the world and given Nigerians everywhere another reason to celebrate our great country,” President Tinubu stated. “To our gallant Flamingos, I say congratulations. You have shown courage, discipline, determination, and the Nigerian spirit of never giving up.”
President Tinubu noted that the players fulfilled their promise to bring the world title home. “I followed your journey throughout this tournament, and after your semi-final victory, you promised to bring the trophy home.
Today, you have kept that promise. You believed in yourselves, fought for one another, and carried our nation’s flag to the very top of the world,” he added.
The final match showcased an intense display of skill and tactical discipline. Awawu Bashiru put Nigeria ahead in the 39th minute with a clinical finish, giving the Flamingos the momentum before the interval.
Oluebube Umejiaku then doubled the lead shortly after the break in the 47th minute, tightening Nigeria’s grip on the match. Although Japan’s Fuki Ito pulled one back in the 80th minute to set up a tense finish, the Flamingos held firm through extra time to seal the historic victory.
With this triumph, Nigeria becomes the first African nation to lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy, cementing its position as a powerhouse in youth football. The victory also makes Nigeria the only African country to claim FIFA World Cup titles in both the men’s (Golden Eaglets) and women’s (Flamingos) U-17 categories.
Furthermore, the Flamingos demonstrated unprecedented resilience throughout their campaign, becoming the first team in tournament history to lose their group stage opener, a 2-1 defeat against Poland, and rebound all the way to capture the title.
President Tinubu extended broad commendations to the technical crew, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the National Sports Commission (NSC) for their structured planning and support.
Reaffirming his administration’s sports agenda, the President pledged continued investment in grassroots youth development to empower female athletes across the country.
