Shaibu Suggests Obi Should Have Waved at Flamingos

On November 10, Philip Shaibu, the Director-General of the National Institute for Sports, commented on the controversy involving Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Obi accused officials from the Nigeria Football Federation of denying him access to the Under-17 women's team, the Flamingos, upon their return to Abuja on November 9 after winning the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

Shaibu suggested that Obi could have simply waved at the players like other Nigerians at the airport instead of requesting a meeting. He defended the NFF's decision not to arrange a special reception for Obi, emphasizing that the support provided to the team prior to and during the tournament was more significant than public displays of affection after their victory.

Shaibu acknowledged the importance of the President's personal encouragement to the players throughout the tournament and reiterated that the foundation of support leading to their success was crucial.