The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Sports Commission (NSC) for fulfilling their financial and housing commitments to the Super Falcons and D’Tigress following their respective triumphs at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket.
The association also called on the Federal Government and corporate organisations to give the Nigeria U-17 Women’s National Team, the Flamingos, a befitting reward for their historic achievement at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
SWAN President, Isaiah Benjamin, made the commendation in a statement issued on Friday and signed by the association’s Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo.
Benjamin described the fulfilment of the promises to the Super Falcons and D’Tigress as an encouraging precedent, expressing confidence that the Flamingos would receive similar recognition for their outstanding performance on the global stage.
“SWAN commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for demonstrating that sporting excellence should be rewarded and, importantly, for fulfilling the financial commitments made to the Super Falcons and D’Tigress,” he said.
Nigeria made history on Wednesday after defeating Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, becoming the first African country to reach the tournament’s final.
Reacting to the milestone, SWAN described the Flamingos’ achievement as a moment of pride for Nigeria and African football, stressing that the players deserve meaningful recognition for their courage, discipline, resilience and dedication.
“These girls have made history for Nigeria and Africa. They have demonstrated courage, discipline, resilience and extraordinary talent, and their achievement deserves meaningful recognition from the country they have represented with distinction,” the statement said.
The association urged the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission, to consider a befitting reward for the young players, noting that such recognition would inspire other Nigerian girls to pursue their sporting ambitions.
Beyond financial incentives, SWAN stressed the need for sustained investment in women’s football, arguing that the Flamingos’ success should serve as a catalyst for strengthening the country’s football development structure.
Benjamin emphasised that producing world-class female footballers requires deliberate investment across all levels, including grassroots football, academies, clubs, the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), coaching development and national teams.
“The Flamingos did not emerge by accident. Behind every player at this World Cup is a pathway — grassroots football, academies, clubs, the NWFL and women’s national teams.
“If Nigeria wants to continue producing players capable of competing for world titles, we must invest consistently in that entire ecosystem,” he said.
He further noted that post-tournament rewards, although important, must be accompanied by long-term policies and infrastructure capable of sustaining sporting excellence.
According to him, Nigeria must prioritise the development of facilities, strengthen the NWFL, support clubs, improve scouting systems and provide better opportunities for female coaches and players to build sustainable careers in football.
“A reward after a tournament is important, but what is even more important is what happens after the applause.
“We need to build facilities, strengthen the NWFL, support clubs, develop coaches, improve scouting and create an environment where girls can build sustainable careers in football,” Benjamin added.
SWAN maintained that consistent government and private-sector support for women’s football would help Nigeria sustain its competitive advantage and produce more players capable of achieving success at continental and global competitions.