Former First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and ex-Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Seyi Akinwunmi, has heaped praises on the Flamingos following their historic victory over Japan, which made Nigeria the first African nation ever to lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Speaking in Lagos moments after the final whistle, Akinwunmi emphasized that the monumental triumph was the result of deliberate planning rather than mere coincidence. He specifically credited the sweeping sports reforms championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the administration has successfully repositioned sports from mere leisure into a strategic national asset and tool for youth empowerment.
“This victory did not happen by chance,” Akinwunmi stated. “President Tinubu gave sports a clear mandate. Sports is no longer just leisure. It is a national asset. It is a tool for youth empowerment.”
He further commended the National Sports Commission (NSC) under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, noting that structural administrative changes were visibly evident on the pitch. According to him, the team’s success was heavily anchored on proper camping, quality friendly matches, the integration of sports science, and prompt payment of allowances.
“When you treat athletes with dignity, they will give their all on the pitch for Nigeria,” he remarked, adding that these steps align seamlessly with his own “Football First” blueprint formulated during his time at the NFF. “Focus on grassroots football, focus on youth development. Focus on the leagues, focus on proper organisation, focus on the economy of football. Trophies will follow. Today, the trophy has followed.”
For Akinwunmi, the victory represented the ultimate fulfillment of a decade-long vision centered around youth and girls’ football. Throughout his administrative career, while many focused solely on the senior men’s national team, he heavily championed grassroots development through initiatives like the “Let The Children Play” campaign, the NFF/Zenith U-15 Women Competition, and systematic scouting starting from age 13.
Recalling his foundational philosophy of building players for the future rather than pursuing a “win-at-all-costs” mentality, Akinwunmi noted how his vision of developing the girl-child eventually birthed successive Super Falcons captains and now, a global trophy.
“This is not just a trophy. This is history,” Akinwunmi concluded. “This is Africa’s first. This is Nigeria showing the world that our girls can be the best in the world… Give a girl a ball, give her education, give her a chance. She will give you a World Cup. Today, the girls gave Nigeria a World Cup.”
