The National Sports Commission has criticised former Anambra State governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his claims that he was prevented from interacting with the Flamingos during their reception at the Abuja airport following their historic FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup victory.
The commission accused Obi of turning the incident into a political controversy, insisting that the decision to restrict an unscheduled meeting with the players was informed by their welfare and safeguarding requirements rather than political considerations. NSC Chairman, Malam Shehu Dikko, also called on the former governor to apologise to the young footballers.
In a statement released on Monday, Dikko said reports from officials of the NSC and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), who were present to welcome the victorious team, indicated that they did not see Obi approaching or attempting to greet the players at the airport.
He explained that two individuals wearing campaign-branded face caps and other materials associated with Obi had approached the officials with a request for the former governor to meet the players and take photographs with them. However, the request was turned down because it was unexpected, had not been communicated beforehand and raised concerns about the possible involvement of political campaign materials.
According to Dikko, the Flamingos had arrived from Morocco at approximately 5.30 a.m. aboard an Air Maroc flight after a demanding tournament and a long journey. He maintained that the players needed adequate consideration and rest, making it inappropriate to arrange an unplanned engagement immediately after their arrival.
“The players had just arrived early that morning on an Air Maroc flight at about 5.30 a.m. and were tired after their journey and a demanding competition. The officials exercised their judgment in declining the sudden meeting and photograph request at that time,” he said.
The NSC chairman also raised questions about Obi’s explanation of his presence at the airport, observing that the former governor had indicated he was travelling to Enugu. Dikko noted that flights to Enugu would ordinarily depart from the domestic terminal, whereas the Flamingos arrived at the international terminal.
He further stated that other passengers and Nigerians at the international terminal had unrestricted opportunities to welcome the players, take photographs with them and celebrate their achievement, arguing that there was no deliberate attempt to exclude anyone on political grounds.
Dikko accused Obi of publicly portraying the situation as an act of political discrimination without first contacting either the commission or the NFF to establish what had happened. He said the former governor’s subsequent comments and media appearances had unnecessarily shifted attention away from the team’s historic accomplishment.
Calling for an apology, the NSC chairman urged Obi to recognise the impact of his statements on the young players, insisting that their moment of national celebration should not have been drawn into partisan controversy.
“I urge and advise that His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, reflects deeply and offers an unreserved apology to these young girls for spoiling their moment of glory with his regrettable actions, subsequent statements and media interviews deliberately weaponising a non-issue for political gain,” he stated.
The commission also emphasised that the Flamingos are underage athletes whose welfare and protection must remain a priority. Dikko disclosed that the team’s technical crew included a designated safeguarding officer responsible for ensuring the players’ safety and controlling access to them.
He stressed that national teams should not be placed in situations where their interactions could be interpreted as endorsements of political personalities or interests. According to him, the commission applies the same safeguarding principles to politicians, government officials and ordinary members of the public.
Beyond the airport controversy, Dikko questioned the level of commitment shown towards national teams, noting that the Flamingos had spent more than seven months undergoing preparations, training camps, qualifying matches and competitive engagements before securing the title in Morocco.
Although he recognised that Obi had sent congratulatory messages to the team during the closing stages of the competition, the NSC chairman maintained that support for Nigerian athletes should extend beyond periods of victory and public celebration.
Dikko also challenged Obi’s description of an earlier encounter involving the Super Eagles following their 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match played in Uyo on March 25, 2025.
He recalled attending the fixture alongside Obi and several state governors, explaining that the players had chosen to hold an immediate technical meeting in their dressing room to assess their performance instead of receiving visitors.
According to him, nobody, including the NSC chairman, the governors present or senior officials of the NFF, entered the dressing room because the team had opted against receiving dignitaries at the time.
He added that FIFA regulations governing the match also imposed restrictions on access to technical areas and dressing rooms, limiting entry to accredited officials and individuals authorised through the football federation.
Dikko warned that disregarding the regulations could expose the NFF to disciplinary measures and potentially jeopardise the country’s opportunity to host future international fixtures at the affected stadium.
Despite the disagreement, the NSC chairman said Obi and other Nigerians who wished to meet or host the victorious Flamingos remained free to submit formal requests to the commission or the NFF so that appropriate arrangements could be made.
He cited the gesture of a Nigerian businessman who travelled to Morocco with a sponsored delegation to support the team during the final as an example of meaningful backing for the players. According to Dikko, the businessman presented the team with $50,000 immediately after the final without seeking publicity or political recognition.
He said such gestures demonstrated how individuals and private organisations could contribute to Nigerian sports without turning their support into an avenue for political attention.
Concluding his remarks, Dikko urged Nigerians to regard the Flamingos’ achievement as an opportunity to strengthen national cohesion rather than create divisions along political lines.
“Football is our national asset that brings Nigerians together across ethnic, religious and political differences. Our national teams belong to every Nigerian,” he said.
Nigeria secured the historic title after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final in Rabat, Morocco, becoming the first African nation to win the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
