World Cup Triumph: Tinubu Rewards Flamingos With N100m Each

President Bola Tinubu has rewarded members of 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 team’s head coach also received a savings certificate valued at N100 million, while each member of the technical crew was awarded N50 million in cash.

The announcement was made by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who received the players and their officials on behalf of the President during a reception held at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The Flamingos recently made history by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, earning national recognition for their remarkable achievement.

Speaking at the reception, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, explained that the decision to give the players savings bonds rather than direct cash payments was aimed at protecting their financial future, considering that most of them are teenagers.

He said the arrangement was designed to ensure that the players could benefit from the financial reward when they attain adulthood, rather than being exposed to the risks associated with receiving huge sums of money at a young age.

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

“So we are now giving them what we call an FGN savings bond for like five years. That savings bond comes at like 14, 12 per cent interest annually, meaning each of them will be adding like N1.1m plus monthly for the next five years,” Dikko said.

He explained that the investment would provide financial support for their education, football development and other needs while allowing the players to make informed decisions about their finances when the bonds mature.

Dikko added that the initiative reflected the President’s intention to secure the long-term welfare of the young footballers.

“I don’t think there is any father that wants to give his 16-year-old, 15-year-old, N100m at this age.

“But you can invest for your 16-year-old so that at 20 they will have money to set their life. That’s basically what the president has done at this moment, which is unprecedented,” he said.

On the future of the team’s coaching staff and players, the NSC chairman said decisions would be guided by the age eligibility of the players for the next U-17 competition.

According to him, players who remain eligible could continue with the team under the existing technical crew, while those who have exceeded the age limit could progress to higher age-grade categories alongside their coach, where appropriate.

He said the commission would assess the players’ eligibility before determining the next steps for the team and its coaching staff.