*Head Coach Gets N100m Cash, Technical Crew, N50m
*Writes Reps, Seeks Approval To Implement N10.79trn External Borrowing Plan
By Aliyu Abas
President Bola Tinubu has rewarded each player of the Flamingos with a savings certificate worth ₦100 million, after the team became the first African nation to win the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, announced the awards at a reception at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Abuja, where she represented the President.
The head coach is to receive ₦100 million in cash, while each member of the technical crew gets ₦50 million.
She praised the team for winning six consecutive matches, and for the humility, discipline and respect they showed after the final.
Senator Tinubu said the victory would inspire young girls and show that their ambitions can be realised on the world stage.
She also commended the coaches, technical and medical staff, administrators, parents and fans for their contributions.
The U-17 team won their first FIFA World Cup title after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final on November 7, with goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku securing the historic victory.
The Flamingos lost their opener 2-1 to Poland, but dominated in the remaining matches, defeating defending champions North Korea, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
Their first-ever appearance in the final was sealed with a 3-1 victory over Brazil, before taking home the trophy after beating Japan.
The players have received commendations from government officials and football fans around the world.
President Tinubu congratulated the Flamingos for becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said he received the news upon his return from campaign engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
He also described Nigeria’s maiden triumph as a proud moment for the country and a landmark achievement for African women’s football.
The Senate also pledged a ₦100 million reward for the Flamingos.
The pledge followed a motion moved by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi, who congratulated the players on their outstanding performance and commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for its role in the team’s achievement.
The latest feat by a Nigerian sports team came less than two years after the senior women’s football team, Super Falcons, won their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco.
In 2025, the D’Tigress won a historic 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket title.
*Writes Reps, seeks approval to implement N10.79tn external borrowing plan
In another development, President Bola Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives, seeking approval to implement the N10.79tn external borrowing component of the 2026 Appropriation Act to finance part of the federal government’s budget deficit.
The President, in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas and read during Wednesday’s plenary, requested the House’s approval for the government to raise $7.71bn at the budget exchange rate of N1,400 to a dollar.
Tinubu explained that the request was in compliance with Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office Establishment Act, 2003, which require the terms and conditions of external loans to be laid before and approved by the National Assembly.
He said the proposed borrowing was already captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act and formed part of the N29.22tn approved new borrowing to finance the federal government’s budget deficit.
According to the President, the approved borrowing comprises N18.28tn in domestic loans and N10.79tn in external borrowing.
“I write to request for the permission of the House of Representatives to implement the new external borrowing plan contained in the 2026 Appropriation Act in the sum of N10,790,366,835,481, which is equivalent to $7,707,404,882.49 at the budget exchange rate of $1 to N1,400, for the part financing of the budget deficit,” he stated.
Tinubu said the government would pursue different borrowing options simultaneously, taking into consideration the cost of borrowing and the time required to access the funds.
He, however, indicated that greater emphasis would be placed on Eurobond issuance, which he described as a faster means of raising substantial funds at relatively lower costs.
All options will be pursued simultaneously considering the cost of benefit to the country as well as the time required to access the funds. In view of this, emphasis will be on the issuance of Eurobonds which is typically faster to conclude,” the president said.
He added that the final terms and conditions of the Eurobond issuance would depend on prevailing market conditions at the time of pricing.
Tinubu assured that the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Debt Managent Office would work to secure the most favourable borrowing terms available in the international market.
The president further explained that the external loans would finance projects and programmes contained in the 2026 budget, particularly in critical sectors including defence and security, transportation, agriculture, power, education and health.
He also argued that the proceeds would help strengthen the country’s external reserves and support the naira, noting that the funds would be received by the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of the Federal Government.
In the resolution sought from the House, Tinubu requested authorisation for the government to raise the funds through multilateral and bilateral institutions, conventional and commercial lending windows, the International Monetary Fund, bridge financing facilities and Eurobond issuance.
