President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu have joined Nigerians in celebrating the Flamingos after the country’s U-17 women’s team defeated Japan 2-1 to win the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The historic victory on Saturday night made Nigeria the first African country to lift the trophy since the women’s competition was introduced in 2008, sparking celebrations across the country and drawing a congratulatory message from the President.

Tinubu expressed his excitement after returning from official engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States with the First Lady, who was closely following the final against Japan.

In a statement celebrating the team’s achievement, the President described the victory as a proud moment for Nigeria, praising the young footballers for making history and bringing honour to the country and the African continent.

“What wonderful news to return home to, and what a proud moment for Nigeria!” Tinubu said.

“As First Lady Oluremi @SenRemiTinubu and I returned from engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States this evening, I saw her keenly watching the Flamingos’ World Cup final against Japan. What a joy to see our girls defeat Japan 2–1 and become the first African team to lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.”

The President noted that he had followed the team’s impressive campaign throughout the tournament and recalled their promise after defeating Brazil in the semi-final to return home with the trophy.

“Our young girls have conquered the world, made history and brought immense honour to Nigeria and the African continent. I followed your remarkable journey throughout the tournament in Morocco, and I remember your promise after the semi-final victory to bring the trophy home. Today, you have kept that promise with courage, discipline and unwavering belief in yourselves,” he said.

Tinubu further described the triumph as an inspiration to millions of young Nigerian girls, stressing that the players had demonstrated that they could dream big, compete with the best and achieve greatness in their chosen fields.

“Your triumph goes far beyond football. Millions of young Nigerian girls will look at what you have achieved and know that they, too, can dream big, compete with the best and reach the pinnacle of their chosen fields,” he added.

He also congratulated the players, coaching crew, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), National Sports Commission and everyone who contributed to the country’s historic achievement.

“On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I salute our world champions. You have written a glorious new chapter in our nation’s sporting history. Nigeria celebrates you. I celebrate you,” the President said.

The Flamingos secured the historic championship through goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku in an entertaining final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.

Bashiru broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, giving Nigeria the lead before Umejiaku doubled the advantage in the 47th minute to put the Flamingos firmly in control.

Japan fought back in the closing stages, with Fuki Ito finding the net in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to their advantage to secure a memorable 2-1 victory and lift the trophy.

The triumph capped an extraordinary campaign for coach Akeem Busari’s side, who recovered from a 2-1 group-stage defeat to Poland to record six consecutive victories and emerge as world champions.

Nigeria’s journey to the title also featured impressive victories over defending champions Korea DPR and Brazil, demonstrating the team’s resilience and determination throughout the competition.

Adding to the celebrations, Umejiaku was named the tournament’s best player and received the adidas Golden Ball award after an outstanding performance in Morocco. She finished the competition with four goals and two assists, contributing to goals in all seven of Nigeria’s matches.

The victory also gives Nigeria another remarkable place in football history, making the country the first African nation to win both the men’s and women’s FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, following the Golden Eaglets’ successes in the boys’ competition.

For the Flamingos, the historic triumph is not only a landmark achievement for Nigerian football but also a defining moment for African women’s football, with their victory expected to inspire a new generation of girls to pursue careers in the sport.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu have joined Nigerians in celebrating the Flamingos after the country’s U-17 women’s team defeated Japan 2-1 to win the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The historic victory on Saturday night made Nigeria the first African country to lift the trophy since the women’s competition was introduced in 2008, sparking celebrations across the country and drawing a congratulatory message from the President.

Tinubu expressed his excitement after returning from official engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States with the First Lady, who was closely following the final against Japan.

In a statement celebrating the team’s achievement, the President described the victory as a proud moment for Nigeria, praising the young footballers for making history and bringing honour to the country and the African continent.

“What wonderful news to return home to, and what a proud moment for Nigeria!” Tinubu said.

The President noted that he had followed the team’s impressive campaign throughout the tournament and recalled their promise after defeating Brazil in the semi-final to return home with the trophy.

Tinubu further described the triumph as an inspiration to millions of young Nigerian girls, stressing that the players had demonstrated that they could dream big, compete with the best and achieve greatness in their chosen fields.

“Your triumph goes far beyond football. Millions of young Nigerian girls will look at what you have achieved and know that they, too, can dream big, compete with the best and reach the pinnacle of their chosen fields,” he added.

He also congratulated the players, coaching crew, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), National Sports Commission and everyone who contributed to the country’s historic achievement.

“On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I salute our world champions. You have written a glorious new chapter in our nation’s sporting history. Nigeria celebrates you. I celebrate you,” the President said.

The Flamingos secured the historic championship through goals from Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku in an entertaining final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.

Bashiru broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, giving Nigeria the lead before Umejiaku doubled the advantage in the 47th minute to put the Flamingos firmly in control.

Japan fought back in the closing stages, with Fuki Ito finding the net in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to their advantage to secure a memorable 2-1 victory and lift the trophy.

The triumph capped an extraordinary campaign for coach Akeem Busari’s side, who recovered from a 2-1 group-stage defeat to Poland to record six consecutive victories and emerge as world champions.

Nigeria’s journey to the title also featured impressive victories over defending champions Korea DPR and Brazil, demonstrating the team’s resilience and determination throughout the competition.

Adding to the celebrations, Umejiaku was named the tournament’s best player and received the adidas Golden Ball award after an outstanding performance in Morocco. She finished the competition with four goals and two assists, contributing to goals in all seven of Nigeria’s matches.

The victory also gives Nigeria another remarkable place in football history, making the country the first African nation to win both the men’s and women’s FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, following the Golden Eaglets’ successes in the boys’ competition.

For the Flamingos, the historic triumph is not only a landmark achievement for Nigerian football but also a defining moment for African women’s football, with their victory expected to inspire a new generation of girls to pursue careers in the sport.

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