Key takeaways

1. Philip Shaibu said Peter Obi could have waved at the Flamingos instead of seeking a meeting at the airport.

2. Shaibu defended President Tinubu’s alleged personal encouragement of the players throughout the tournament.

3. The NIS director-general acknowledged that the Flamingos deserved recognition for their achievement.

4. Obi alleged that officials denied his request to meet the team and threatened consequences for approaching them.

5. NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko disputed Obi’s account and provided a different explanation of the airport incident.

6. Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 to win its first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title.

The Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Philip Shaibu, has criticised the controversy surrounding Peter Obi’s attempt to meet Nigeria’s victorious Flamingos at the Abuja airport, suggesting that the former presidential candidate could have simply waved at the players like other Nigerians.

Shaibu made the remarks on November 10, 2026, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, where he discussed allegations that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented Obi from meeting the Under-17 women’s team following their historic FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup triumph in Morocco.

The disagreement emerged after the Flamingos returned to Nigeria on Monday, November 9, with their first-ever title in the competition. Obi had alleged that he was denied access to the players when he attempted to arrange a meeting with them at the airport.

However, Shaibu defended the handling of the situation, arguing that the attention given to a team during its preparation and participation in a tournament should carry greater importance than public displays of support after winning.

Shaibu Highlights Importance Of Presidential Support Before Victory

During the television interview, Shaibu emphasised the importance of encouragement throughout a competition, particularly when players encounter difficult moments and need motivation to concentrate on upcoming matches.

He defended President Bola Tinubu’s involvement with the team, claiming that the President personally contacted the Flamingos before, during and after the tournament.

According to the NIS director-general, such communication can have a significant effect on players when they are struggling with disappointment or pressure during a competition.

He argued that encouraging athletes to move beyond a disappointing performance and focus on their next challenge can be more valuable than appearing publicly with them after a successful campaign.

Shaibu’s comments placed greater emphasis on the preparation and support behind the team’s achievement rather than the public reception that followed its return.

NIS DG Says Flamingos Deserved Recognition

Although Shaibu questioned the circumstances surrounding Obi’s request, he acknowledged that the young Nigerian footballers deserved to be celebrated for their achievement.

He maintained that the foundation established before a tournament, including preparation and encouragement, was an important part of a team’s eventual success.

The former Edo State deputy governor also referred to his experience in football and his previous responsibility for sports administration in Edo State. He explained that getting political leaders to visit or address players in their dressing rooms could sometimes be difficult.

His remarks were intended to underline the importance of support throughout an athlete’s journey, rather than limiting recognition to celebrations after a major victory.

Shaibu Explains Why Obi Could Have Waved At The Players

When asked whether NFF officials were right to prevent Obi from welcoming the returning team, Shaibu suggested that the former presidential candidate could have acknowledged the players from a distance.

He referred to an experience involving Enyimba players whom he encountered at an airport. According to Shaibu, after discovering that the team was travelling, he simply waved at the players rather than seeking an interaction.

The NIS director-general further explained that sports teams sometimes give their players instructions to avoid interactions with members of the public while travelling.

He argued that such arrangements should be respected, particularly when teams have just completed demanding competitions and need consideration during their journey.

Peter Obi And Shehu Dikko Offer Different Accounts Of Airport Incident

Obi had earlier explained that he arrived at the airport at approximately 7 am on November 9 to board a flight to Enugu.

According to his account, he asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could meet the Flamingos. He alleged that officials rejected the request and threatened that they could lose their jobs if he approached the players.

However, National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Shehu Dikko disputed Obi’s account.

Dikko said officials responsible for receiving the team reported that they did not see the former presidential candidate around the players or at the international terminal where the Flamingos arrived.

He also explained that two individuals wearing Obi’s campaign face caps and other campaign clothing approached officials to request a meeting and photographs with the players.

According to the NSC chairman, the request was declined because the team had just returned from a demanding international competition and needed adequate consideration.

Dikko subsequently urged Obi to apologise to the players, warning that the disagreement should not distract attention from their historic achievement.

The two accounts present different explanations of the airport incident. While Obi alleged that his request was rejected under the circumstances he described, Dikko maintained that officials did not see him around the team and provided a different account of the request.

Flamingos’ Historic World Cup Triumph Remains The Bigger Sporting Achievement

Despite the disagreement surrounding the airport reception, the Flamingos’ performance in Morocco remains the central sporting achievement behind the controversy.

Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final to secure its first FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title.

The victory also made Nigeria the first African country to win the competition, giving the young team a significant place in the history of women’s youth football on the continent.

The achievement has attracted national attention, with discussions about how the players should be celebrated and supported following their return.

While disagreements over access to the team have generated political and administrative reactions, the players’ accomplishment deserves to remain at the forefront of public recognition.

The controversy also highlights the importance of clear arrangements for receiving national teams, managing official visits and protecting players’ welfare after demanding competitions.

Quote Section: Philip Shaibu’s Remarks On Peter Obi And The Flamingos

During his November 10 appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, NIS Director-General Philip Shaibu made several comments about presidential support, the Flamingos’ achievement and Peter Obi’s attempt to meet the players.

The following are his direct remarks as reported in the source article:

“I consistently tell Nigerians, the President makes personal calls before, during, and after. And those calls are more important than after the victory,” he said.

“Because when the spirit is down, and you get a call from the President telling you, look, forget about the last match, focus on the next match, I think that is more important than after winning coming to do a popularity show of showing affection.”

“These girls deserve to be received; these girls deserve all the accolades that they need. But what is key is the foundation preparatory to that victory,” he added.

“Mr Obi can stand at the airport and wave to them as every other person did,” he said.

The disagreement over the airport reception has brought attention to the relationship between public figures and national sports teams. However, the Flamingos’ historic World Cup victory remains an achievement worthy of recognition, celebration and continued support.