FCC urges women’s football investment after historic U-17 World Cup win

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Federal Character Commission has called for a major overhaul and sustained investment in women’s grassroots football, following the Flamingos’ historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, executive chairman of the commission and a former member of the FIFA Women’s Football Committee, praised the squad’s performance while warning that the country cannot rely on chance to nurture future sporting talent.”I warmly congratulate our Flamingos on this historic achievement. They have made Nigeria proud and demonstrated once again that our young girls possess the talent, character and determination to excel on the world stage,” Omidiran said in a statement released on Sunday.”We must not wait for another generation of Flamingos to emerge by chance. We need a deliberate system that identifies these talents early, develops them properly, protects them and provides a clear pathway from grassroots football to the Flamingos, Falconets and ultimately the Super Falcons.”

Beyond the Trophy

Omidiran, who previously served on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board and founded the Girls Play Sports Initiative, urged national football authorities to turn the World Cup celebration into a lasting structural turning point. She outlined a proposal for a nationwide development strategy focusing on school competitions, youth academies, sports science, player welfare, and upgraded facilities. The call comes ahead of FIFA’s planned expansion of youth competitions, including the inaugural U-15 Women’s World Cup set for 2027.

Omidiran urged sports administrators to begin preparations immediately rather than waiting for tournament cycles to approach.”Investment in women’s football must go beyond preparing national teams for tournaments. We must invest in the ecosystem that produces the players,” she added, citing the need for stronger domestic leagues and equitable opportunities for young female athletes regardless of socio-economic background.

The commission also acknowledged the contributions of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for their ongoing advocacy for youth and women’s empowerment initiatives across the country.