The National Sports Commission (NSC) has challenged Peter Obi’s account of an alleged incident at the Abuja airport, where the former Anambra State governor claimed he was prevented from greeting Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, following their historic World Cup triumph.
NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, in a statement issued on Monday and reported on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, said officials who received the team from Morocco did not see Obi around the players, insisting that the decision to decline a proposed meeting was based on the circumstances surrounding the request and the welfare of the young athletes.
Obi had alleged that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from approaching the players when they arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, warning that they could lose their jobs if they allowed him to greet the team.
Follow PenTalk News
Get breaking news, important updates and the latest stories directly on your phone.
However, Dikko offered a different account, explaining that two individuals wearing Obi’s campaign face caps and other campaign-related attire approached officials to request a meeting and photograph session between the former governor and the players.
According to the NSC chairman, the request was declined because it was unexpected, no prior arrangements had been made, and the players were exhausted after their journey from Morocco and a demanding tournament.
He also suggested that the proposed interaction could have involved campaign materials, raising concerns about the possibility of using the young players for political purposes.
Dikko maintained that the officials’ account did not support Obi’s allegation that their jobs were threatened over the matter.
NSC Questions Obi’s Presence at Airport
The NSC chairman further questioned Obi’s account of the airport encounter, pointing out that the former governor had said he was at the airport to board a flight to Enugu, which would ordinarily depart from the domestic terminal.
According to Dikko, the Flamingos arrived at approximately 5:30 a.m. aboard an Air Maroc flight through the international terminal.
He said passengers and other Nigerians at the terminal welcomed the players, took photographs with them, danced and shook hands with the team as they proceeded to their buses.
Dikko insisted that Obi was not captured anywhere near the players or the international wing of the airport during the team’s arrival.
He criticised the former governor for presenting the incident as political intimidation without first seeking clarification from the NSC or the NFF.
The chairman subsequently urged Obi to apologise to the players, arguing that their historic achievement should not be overshadowed by political disagreements.
Dikko Defends Decision to Restrict Access to Players
Explaining the commission’s position, Dikko said the decision to manage access to the Flamingos was informed by the responsibility to protect the welfare and dignity of the young athletes.
He noted that the players are minors and have a designated safeguarding official within their technical crew to guide and protect them.
According to him, meetings, photographs and other interactions with the team must be properly arranged and conducted in line with applicable regulations.
He stressed that the rules apply equally to public officials, politicians and members of the general public.
Dikko also invited Obi and other Nigerians interested in meeting or hosting the players to contact the NSC or NFF to make formal arrangements.
He maintained that supporting national teams should go beyond celebrating victories to include their preparation, welfare and development.
NSC Chairman Revisits 2025 Super Eagles Incident
Dikko also disputed Obi’s account of a similar incident involving the Super Eagles after Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25, 2025.
Obi had previously claimed that he was prevented from greeting the players after the match, while other government officials were allowed to meet them.
However, Dikko, who said he sat in the same row as Obi and some state governors during the match, maintained that no dignitary or official visited the players in the dressing room.
He explained that the players had requested an immediate private meeting among themselves following the disappointing 1-1 draw.
According to him, the decision applied to everyone, including himself, the governors and senior NFF officials.
He further explained that access to dressing rooms during international fixtures is governed by FIFA security and accreditation regulations, warning that unauthorised access could expose the NFF to sanctions.
Flamingos’ Historic World Cup Triumph
The controversy followed the Flamingos’ historic achievement at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in the final played in Rabat on Saturday, November 7, becoming the first African country to win the competition.
Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s advantage two minutes into the second half. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian team held on to secure the historic victory.
The Flamingos recovered from a 2-1 opening defeat to Poland to win six consecutive matches, overcoming Puerto Rico, Korea DPR, Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil on their way to the final.
The triumph marked Nigeria’s first title in the competition, improving on the team’s previous best finish of third place in 2022.
Dikko said the achievement should unite Nigerians across political, ethnic and religious differences rather than become another source of division.
He maintained that the national team belongs to all Nigerians and called for sustained support for the players beyond their World Cup success.
