The National Sports Commission (NSC) has rejected allegations by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s football team, the Flamingos, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, insisting that the account presented by the former governor was inaccurate.
Chairman of the Commission, Shehu Dikko, who responded to the allegations in a statement issued on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, explained that officials declined an unscheduled request for access to the players because of concerns about their welfare, safeguarding requirements and the possibility of involving the young athletes in political activities.
Obi had alleged in a Facebook post on Monday, titled “A New Dimension of Toxic Politics in Nigeria,” that officials of the NFF prevented him from approaching the Flamingos after their return from Morocco, where they defeated Japan to win the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
According to the former governor, he arrived at the Abuja airport at about 7 a.m. to board a flight to Enugu when he encountered the returning players.
He alleged that his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, was informed that NFF officials risked losing their jobs if they permitted him to greet the players.
However, Dikko disputed that account, maintaining that officials who received the Flamingos did not see Obi around the players when they arrived at the airport.
The NSC Chairman explained that two individuals wearing face caps bearing Obi’s campaign insignia and other campaign materials approached officials requesting an opportunity for the former governor to meet and take photographs with the players.
He said the request was declined because no prior arrangement had been made, the proposed interaction was unexpected and the players were exhausted following their journey and participation in a demanding international competition.
“The proposed arrangement would also likely involve campaign materials,” Dikko said.
He maintained that nothing in the account provided by the officials suggested that anyone had threatened to dismiss NFF personnel for allowing Obi to interact with the team.
Dikko also questioned Obi’s account of his presence at the airport, noting that the former governor said he was travelling to Enugu, a journey that would ordinarily require departure from the domestic terminal.
According to the NSC Chairman, the Flamingos arrived at the international terminal at approximately 5:30 a.m. aboard an Air Maroc flight.
He explained that passengers and other Nigerians at the international terminal freely welcomed the players, took photographs with them, danced and exchanged handshakes as the team proceeded towards their waiting buses.
“Mr Obi was never captured anywhere near the team and/or in the vicinity of the international wing of the airport,” Dikko stated.
The Commission Chairman criticised the former governor for presenting the incident as evidence of political hostility without first seeking clarification from the NFF or the NSC regarding what transpired.
He maintained that the refusal of the unscheduled request was based on arrangements for managing access to the young athletes and not on political considerations.
Dikko consequently urged Obi to apologise to the players, arguing that their achievement should not be drawn into partisan disagreements.
Explaining the Commission’s position further, he stressed that the Flamingos are minors whose welfare must remain a priority for the football authorities.
According to him, the team’s technical crew includes a designated safeguarding official responsible for protecting and guiding the players, particularly during interactions with members of the public.
He said arrangements involving meetings, photographs or other activities with the players must be properly coordinated in accordance with applicable safeguarding and administrative requirements.
“These considerations apply equally to public officials, political figures and other members of the public,” he stated.
Dikko explained that the Commission was not opposed to individuals meeting or celebrating the players, but insisted that such interactions must be arranged through the appropriate channels.
He therefore invited Obi and other Nigerians interested in meeting or hosting the Flamingos to contact the NSC or NFF for formal arrangements.
The NSC Chairman also urged public figures and other Nigerians to extend their support for national teams beyond moments of victory by contributing to their preparation, welfare and development.
The disagreement between Obi and the sports authorities also revived an earlier incident involving the Super Eagles following Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25, 2025.
In his Facebook post, Obi recalled that he had similarly been prevented from greeting the national team after the match, while other government officials were allegedly allowed access to the players.
He presented both incidents as examples of what he considered growing political hostility in the country.
However, Dikko rejected the allegation concerning the Uyo encounter, explaining that he was present at the match and sat in the same row as Obi and several state governors.
According to him, no dignitary or official was permitted to visit the Super Eagles in their dressing room after the match.
He explained that the players had requested an immediate private meeting among themselves following their disappointing 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe.
The NSC Chairman maintained that the restriction applied to everyone, including himself, the governors and senior officials of the NFF.
Dikko further explained that access to dressing rooms during international matches is governed by FIFA security and accreditation protocols, which restrict entry to authorised persons.
He warned that unauthorised access could expose the NFF to sanctions, including financial penalties or restrictions on the use of the stadium for future international matches.
The Commission Chairman therefore insisted that the decision taken in Uyo was not directed at Obi but reflected the players’ wishes and the security regulations governing the fixture.
The latest disagreement arose shortly after the Flamingos made history by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Rabat, Morocco, to claim the championship.
Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s lead two minutes into the second half.
Japan reduced the deficit through Fuki Ito in the 80th minute, but the Flamingos held on to secure the historic victory.
The Nigerian team had recovered from a 2-1 defeat to Poland in its opening match to win six consecutive games.
The Flamingos defeated Puerto Rico and defending champions Korea DPR in the group stage before overcoming Mexico and Venezuela in the knockout rounds.
A 3-1 victory over Brazil in the semi-finals secured Nigeria’s first appearance in the competition’s final.
The triumph marked Nigeria’s first title in the tournament and surpassed the country’s previous best finish of third place in 2022.
Before the airport controversy, Obi had congratulated the players in a separate Facebook post on Sunday, praising their talent, resilience and dedication following the historic achievement.
However, his subsequent allegation that NFF officials prevented him from meeting the players prompted the response from the National Sports Commission.
Dikko maintained that the players’ achievement should remain a source of national pride rather than become a subject of political disagreement.
“Football is our National Asset that brings Nigerians together across ethnic, religious, and political differences and, indeed, breaks all our fault lines,” he said.
“The Flamingos have earned the country’s admiration, and their World Cup victory should strengthen our unity. It must not become another platform for partisan division.”
Post Title: “No Prior Arrangement Was Made” — NSC Cites Campaign Attire, Players’ Welfare In Denying Peter Obi Access To Flamingos By Naijaonpoint.