The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, has addressed the controversy involving former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who alleged that he was prevented from meeting Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, at the Abuja airport after their return from the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Dikko clarified the situation in a statement issued on November 9, 2026, which was published by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy. The development has attracted public attention, with different reactions emerging over the circumstances surrounding Obi’s reported attempt to interact with the players.

According to Dikko, officials from the NSC and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who welcomed the team at the airport claimed they did not see Obi among the players. However, they confirmed that two people dressed in campaign-related materials associated with the former presidential candidate approached them to request an opportunity for Obi to meet and take photographs with the team.

The NSC chairman explained that the request was turned down because no previous arrangement had been made. He added that the players arrived at approximately 5:30 a.m. after their international trip and were extremely tired, making rest their immediate priority.

Dikko also raised questions about Obi’s account, pointing out that the former Anambra State governor was reportedly at the airport to catch a flight to Enugu. He noted that such a journey would ordinarily involve the domestic terminal, whereas the Flamingos arrived through the international terminal.

He further maintained that supporters and members of the public were permitted to celebrate the players, take pictures and interact with them before they boarded their buses.

Dikko accused Obi of introducing unnecessary political undertones into the incident and called on him to apologise to the young footballers for allegedly diverting attention from their historic achievement.

He also referenced a similar disagreement involving Obi and the Super Eagles in Uyo in March 2025, when access to the dressing room was restricted.

The NSC chairman urged Nigerians seeking to meet the Flamingos to contact the commission or NFF beforehand, emphasising that players’ welfare and protection must come first.

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