The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Sports Commission (NSC) for fulfilling the financial and housing commitments made to Nigeria’s Super Falcons and D’Tigress following their outstanding performances at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and FIBA Women’s AfroBasket respectively.

In a statement signed by the Association’s Secretary-General, Ambassador Ikenna Victor Okonkwo, on Friday, SWAN President Isaiah Kemje Benjamin said the fulfilment of the commitments establishes an encouraging precedent in the recognition and reward of sporting excellence in Nigeria.

The NSC recently confirmed that the Super Falcons had received the naira equivalent of $100,000 each, while coaches and officials received $50,000 each, completing the financial component of President Tinubu’s reward package. The players had earlier received documents for their three-bedroom apartments in Abuja and national honours. D’Tigress similarly received the naira equivalent of $100,000 per player and $50,000 per official, alongside their housing and national honours commitments.  

“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,” Benjamin said.

The SWAN President, however, said the latest development should also create an opportunity to extend that culture of recognition to the Nigeria U-17 Women’s National Team, the Flamingos, following their historic qualification for the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Nigeria defeated Brazil 3–1 in Wednesday’s semi-final to become the first African nation to reach the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The Flamingos will face Japan in Saturday’s final in Rabat.  

SWAN therefore called on the Federal Government, through the NSC, and corporate Nigeria to consider a befitting reward for the young players, stressing that their historic achievement deserves meaningful recognition beyond congratulatory messages.

“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,” Benjamin said.

He added that a befitting reward would carry significance beyond its financial value, serving as an important message to millions of young Nigerian girls that talent, sacrifice, discipline and commitment can earn national recognition.

Beyond the immediate reward, SWAN supremo urged the Federal Government and football stakeholders to use the Flamingos’ historic campaign as a catalyst for sustained investment in women’s football, particularly the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL), grassroots development, club infrastructure, coaching, medical support, scouting and player welfare.

“The Flamingos did not emerge by accident. Behind every player at this World Cup is a pathway - grassroots football, academies, clubs, the NWFL, youth national teams and women’s national teams,” Benjamin said.

“If Nigeria wants to continue producing players capable of competing for world titles, we must invest consistently in that entire ecosystem. 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.”

The SWAN President said the historic achievement in Morocco should therefore be viewed not simply as another successful youth national-team campaign, but as an opportunity to build a stronger and more sustainable women’s football system capable of continuously producing players for the Super Falcons and the global game.

The Association boss congratulated the Flamingos, the technical crew led by Hakeem Busari, the Nigeria Football Federation and all stakeholders who contributed to the team’s historic campaign, while urging the players to go one step further against Japan and complete their remarkable journey by bringing the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy to Nigeria.