The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fulfilling his housing and financial reward commitments to the Super Falcons and D'Tigress following their 2024 WAFCON and 2025 FIBA Women's AfroBasket triumphs, respectively.
In a statement signed by the Association's Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, on Friday, SWAN President Isaiah Benjamin said the fulfilment of those commitments provides a lasting and encouraging precedent, and expressed confidence that the Flamingos would receive similar recognition for their historic achievement.
"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.
"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," he concluded.
Nigeria's sporting media also called on the Federal Government to give the Nigeria U-17 Women's National Team, the Flamingos, a befitting reward for their historic feat at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Morocco, while urging sustained investment in the country's women's football development pathway.
Nigeria made history on Wednesday by defeating Brazil 3–1 in the semi-final to become the first African nation to reach the tournament's final.
SWAN urged the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission (NSC), and corporate Nigeria to consider a befitting reward for the Flamingos, noting that such a gesture would send a strong message to young Nigerian girls that talent, sacrifice, and commitment can be valued by their country.
"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.
Beyond the immediate reward, Benjamin said the Flamingos' success should become a catalyst for a fundamental rethink of investment in women's football, adding that producing world-class players requires an intentional approach and a functioning pathway stretching from grassroots football and academies to clubs, the Nigeria Women's Football League (NWFL), and the 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," Benjamin said.
"If Nigeria wants to continue producing players capable of competing for world titles, we must invest consistently in that entire ecosystem."
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