The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has described Nigeria’s historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup as a fitting thank-you gift to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his administration’s support for sports development.

Shaibu made the remark following the Flamingos’ 2-1 victory over Japan in Saturday’s final in Rabat, Morocco, which handed Nigeria its first title in the competition and made the country the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, blueprint reports.

In a statement issued by Callistus Ebare of the Office of the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the NIS, Shaibu said the triumph was a significant achievement for Nigerian football, particularly coming after other notable performances by the country’s national teams.

Flamingos overcome opening setback to make history

The NIS boss noted that the Flamingos had set out to play seven matches at the tournament and eventually achieved that objective, despite losing their opening fixture.

Nigeria began its campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Poland but recovered strongly, recording six consecutive victories to emerge champions.

The team’s response to the opening setback, Shaibu said, demonstrated the importance of resilience, commitment and determination in the pursuit of success.

The Flamingos defeated defending champions DPR Korea during the group stage, before progressing through the knockout rounds with victories over their opponents.

They subsequently defeated Brazil in the semi-finals to secure a place in the final against Japan.

According to FIFA, Nigeria’s triumph was particularly historic because the team became the first African side to reach the final of the competition and the first to lift the trophy since the tournament began in 2008.

In the final, Nigeria took the lead in the 39th minute when Awawu Bashiru found the net with an effort from distance. The Flamingos doubled their advantage two minutes after the restart through Oluebube Umejiaku, who finished off a move initiated by Esther Stephen.

Japan reduced the deficit in the 80th minute through Fuki Ito and mounted pressure in search of an equaliser. However, the Nigerian girls held firm through the closing stages to secure the 2-1 victory.

Shaibu hails national pride, Tinubu’s sports support

Shaibu said the victory was a moment of immense pride for the country, especially with leading figures in world football administration present at the stadium to witness the final.

“With world football administrators seated in the stadium, it was a compelling time once again to be proudly Nigerian,” he said.

He described the achievement as particularly significant because it came after the Super Falcons’ victory at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, as well as Team Nigeria’s performances at the West African and Commonwealth Games.

The NIS director-general said the Flamingos’ success reflected the value of sustained effort and the determination of young athletes to excel when given the opportunity to represent the country.

He added that President Tinubu’s appreciation for hard work would make the achievement even more memorable for the players, who would cherish the historic moment throughout their football careers.

Shaibu’s remarks also placed the Flamingos’ triumph within the broader conversation about sports development and the need to sustain support for young talents across the country.

Umejiaku wins Golden Ball

Nigeria’s success in Morocco was also reflected in the individual recognition received by one of its outstanding performers.

Flamingos forward Oluebube Umejiaku won the adidas Golden Ball award as the best player of the tournament after an impressive campaign, which she capped with the decisive second goal in the final against Japan.

Her performance in the final earned her the Player of the Match award, while her overall contribution to Nigeria’s campaign secured the tournament’s top individual honour.

FIFA also announced the other major award winners. Maddie DiMaria of the United States claimed the Golden Boot after scoring 12 goals, while DPR Korea’s Yu Jong-hyang received the Silver Ball. Japan’s Fuki Ito won the Bronze Ball, and DPR Korea goalkeeper Kim Son-gyong was named winner of the Golden Glove.

Japan received the FIFA Fair Play Trophy

The awards added another dimension to Nigeria’s historic campaign, with Umejiaku’s recognition highlighting the individual quality within a team whose collective effort carried the country to the title.

First African women’s team to win FIFA world title

Beyond Nigeria, the Flamingos’ victory represents a landmark for African football.

The country became the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the first African women’s national team to win a FIFA world title at any level.

The achievement also completed Nigeria’s record of winning the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cups. The country had previously won the men’s competition five times, in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

The latest triumph therefore adds the women’s title to Nigeria’s established record in age-grade football and provides a major milestone for the development of women’s football on the continent.

Shaibu congratulates players, calls for more commitment

Shaibu congratulated the players, coaching crew, backroom staff, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission for their contributions to the team’s success.

He urged Nigerians, particularly young sportsmen and women, to emulate the Flamingos’ spirit of hard work, commitment and dedication, stressing that the country should continue to recognise and appreciate excellence.

The NIS chief executive said the team’s achievement would serve as a reference point and a source of inspiration for other Nigerian athletes whenever they represent the country in the green-white-green jersey.

He maintained that the Flamingos had demonstrated that setbacks could be overcome through discipline, teamwork and determination, pointing to their recovery from the opening defeat to Poland as evidence of the character that ultimately delivered the trophy.

On the question of possible rewards for the players, Shaibu refrained from making any pronouncement on behalf of the Federal Government. He, however, expressed confidence that President Tinubu would not disappoint the young champions.

The Flamingos’ victory has given Nigerian football a new historic milestone and placed the country at the forefront of women’s youth football, while Umejiaku’s Golden Ball recognition further underlined the quality of the team’s performance in Morocco.