President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rewarded Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, with Federal Government Savings Bonds worth N100 million each following their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The reward was announced on Wednesday by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who hosted the players and their technical crew on behalf of the President at a special reception held at the State House, Abuja.

As part of the recognition, the team’s coach was also presented with a savings certificate valued at N100 million, while each member of the technical crew received N50 million in cash.

The Flamingos made history by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, securing a landmark achievement for Nigerian football and the continent.

Speaking on the reward package, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, said the decision to give the players savings bonds instead of cash was aimed at protecting their financial future, considering that most of the beneficiaries are still teenagers.

Dikko explained that the five-year Federal Government Savings Bonds attract annual interest rates of between 12 and 14 per cent, providing the players with a steady source of income while securing their investments until they attain adulthood.

“There is no need to flood them with money that can distort their career,” he said.

He added that the arrangement would enable the young footballers to benefit from regular returns to support their education, training and other personal needs without having to spend their principal investment.

According to him, the initiative would ensure that the players have substantial financial resources when the bonds mature, allowing them to make informed decisions about their future.

Dikko described the President’s gesture as unprecedented, stressing that investing the money on behalf of the young athletes was a more responsible approach than handing them large sums at their current age.

On the future of the team and its coaching staff, he said the National Sports Commission would assess the players’ age eligibility before deciding on the composition of the next U-17 squad.

He noted that players still qualified for the age category could remain with the team, while those who have exceeded the limit could progress to higher national teams, potentially alongside their coach.

“We have to look at how many of these girls are still available for the next U-17,” he said.

The reward underscores the Federal Government’s recognition of the Flamingos’ historic achievement and its commitment to encouraging young Nigerian athletes to excel on the international stage.

More details shortly.