By Andrew Abah, Abuja
The former First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and former Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi spoke in Lagos moments after the Flamingos beat Japan in the final to become the first African country ever to lift the trophy.
Akinwunmi also gave credit to government, hailing the reforms of the National Sports Commission, backed by the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“This victory did not happen by chance,” he said. 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.
“For years we cried that grassroots football had no money. Today, the NSC has brought structure, accountability and long-term planning.”
For Akinwunmi, it was not just a win. It was the fulfilment of a vision he has carried for over a decade. “This is not just a trophy. This is history,” he said.
“This is Africa’s first. This is Nigeria showing the world that our girls can be the best in the world.
“You have proved that ‘Let The Children Play’ was not a slogan. It was a vision that incorporated the development of the girl-child and culminated in Lagos State producing successive Falcons’ captains under his watch. Today, that vision is a World Cup.”
Akinwunmi knows what this victory means. While many administrators focused only on the Super Eagles, he fought for youth and girls football.
He created “Let The Children Play”. He pushed for the NFF/Zenith U15 Women Competition. He pushed for scouting of girls from age 13.
As Chairman of the NFF Youth Development Committee, he wrote the Youth Development Policy. His rule was simple: scout from 13, move them from U13 to U15 to U17 to U20. No win-at-all-cost. Build players for the future.
“Give a girl a ball, give her education, give her a chance,” he used to say. “She will give you a World Cup.”
On Saturday, the girls gave Nigeria a World Cup. He praised the leadership of the National Sports Commission, NSC, under the leadership of Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, according to him, the difference was clear on the pitch.
This time, the Flamingos had proper camping. They had friendly matches. They had sports science. Their allowances were paid.
“When you treat athletes with dignity, they will give their all on the pitch for Nigeria.”
He said the reforms match his own “Football First” blueprint, which he wrote while 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,” he said.
