“Super Falcons Deserve Equal, If Not Better, Funding Than Super Eagles” — Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Chairman, Senate Committee On Sports

Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, has called for greater investment in the Super Falcons, arguing that Nigeria’s record-breaking women’s national team deserves equal, if not better, funding than the Super Eagles.

Ningi made the call while speaking after the Super Falcons’ disappointing WAFCON 2026 exit, stressing that the team should not be abandoned because of one defeat.

He said he visited the players on behalf of the National Assembly to remind them that Nigerians remain proud of them.

“We are down but we’re not out.”

“We’ve Taken Women’s Football For Granted”

Ningi acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the Super Falcons but said the team’s achievements demand greater support.

Nigeria are the most successful nation in WAFCON history, having won the competition 10 times.

According to Ningi, the country has not adequately rewarded that level of achievement.

“We have taken this women soccer for granted because it’s not easy. This is 10 times African champions.”

He argued that Nigeria can no longer expect the Super Falcons to dominate Africa while other countries continue to improve their investment in women's football.

Equal, If Not Better, Funding For The Super Falcons

Ningi was asked whether more resources should be deliberately directed towards the women's national team, particularly in areas such as friendly matches, bonuses and preparation.

His response was unequivocal.

He argued that Nigeria already has money allocated to sports and that the National Sports Commission, NFF and National Institute for Sports need to work together to ensure that resources are properly deployed.

The senator's position is that the Super Falcons' record should be reflected in the level of support they receive.

He also referenced the disparity in incentives between men's and women's football in other African countries as an example of how women’s football can be prioritised.

“Funding Is Not The Problem”

Ningi also made a significant statement about sports funding in Nigeria.

According to him, the country now has sufficient budgetary provisions for sports, and the major challenge may be the timely release of funds.

“Funding is not the problem.”

He said the National Assembly has a responsibility to track appropriated funds and ensure they are used appropriately.

Ningi also pointed to increased government allocations to the sports sector in recent years, saying the National Assembly would continue monitoring how the funds are utilised.

Nigeria Needs Better Training Infrastructure

One of Ningi’s strongest criticisms centred on Nigeria’s sports infrastructure.

While in Morocco, he compared the facilities available to the Super Falcons with what exists in Nigeria.

He highlighted the quality of the training pitch being used by the team and lamented the lack of comparable facilities at home.

“We don’t have one single training pitch in the whole country in Nigeria.”

Ningi called for the National Sports Commission, Nigeria Football Federation and National Institute for Sports to work together to improve sports infrastructure and development.

For him, investment in football cannot be limited to players and competitions. Nigeria also needs quality facilities where athletes can train and develop consistently.

“We Cannot Sit Down And Say We’re The Best”

The senator also warned against relying on Nigeria’s historical dominance in African women’s football.

The emergence of Malawi, Zambia, Cameroon, Algeria and Morocco, he argued, shows that the competitive landscape has changed.

“We cannot just sit down and say we’re the best and we continue to be the best.”

His comments echo the broader reality of WAFCON 2026, where several traditional powerhouses failed to reach the latter stages while emerging teams made significant progress.

Ningi believes Nigeria must respond by investing more heavily in the game rather than relying on its history.

The Super Falcons Still Have A World Cup To Fight For

Despite the WAFCON disappointment, Ningi urged the players to remain mentally strong.

He acknowledged that expectations from Nigerian supporters were extremely high and that some players had been psychologically affected by criticism on social media.

He appealed to the players to ignore negative commentary and focus on the opportunity that remains.

Nigeria’s World Cup qualification campaign is not over, and the Super Falcons still have a route to the tournament.

Ningi believes the players have the quality and resilience to bounce back.

“We Are Down, But We Are Not Out”

The senator stressed that football is unpredictable and that even the best teams can lose on a bad day.

He said Nigeria dominated the Cameroon quarter-final but ultimately suffered defeat, describing it as part of the nature of team sports.

His message to the players was therefore one of encouragement rather than condemnation.

“The nation is proud of them in spite of the loss.”

He urged the Super Falcons to summon their courage and Nigerian spirit as they prepare for the next challenge.

A Bigger Question For Nigerian Football

Ningi’s comments have opened a wider conversation about how Nigeria funds and manages its men's and women's national teams.

The Super Falcons have won the WAFCON a record 10 times and have qualified for every edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Yet Ningi believes Nigeria has not invested proportionately in the team or in the infrastructure needed to sustain its success.

His argument is that if Nigeria wants to regain its position at the top of African women's football, the country must invest differently.

“If we are going to dominate Africa again, we need to do what we do right.”

For Ningi, the Super Falcons' WAFCON disappointment should therefore serve not simply as a reason for criticism, but as a warning and an opportunity to reassess Nigeria's approach to women's football.

The immediate priority remains World Cup qualification, but the bigger question is whether Nigeria is prepared to give its most successful national football team the resources, infrastructure and support required to remain at the top.