The National Sports Commission (NSC) has disputed Peter Obi’s account of being prevented from greeting Nigeria’s Flamingos at the Abuja airport.
In a statement on Monday, NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko said officials declined an unscheduled request for Obi to meet and photograph the U-17 women’s team following their return from Morocco at about 5:30 a.m.
Dikko said the decision was informed by the need to protect the players’ welfare, noting that the team had just completed a demanding tournament and arrived in Abuja early in the morning.
“The Flamingos are minors and have a dedicated safeguarding official within the technical crew to protect and guide the players,” he said.
He added that “their welfare, dignity and protection from undue pressure must remain central to every engagement,” stressing that interactions with the players must be properly arranged and must not suggest political allegiance.
The NSC chairman also disputed Obi’s account of a similar incident involving the Super Eagles in Uyo in March 2025.
Obi had alleged that he was prevented from visiting the players in their dressing room after Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe, despite other government officials being allowed to greet them.
Dikko, however, said the players had requested privacy to hold an internal meeting following the match, adding that no dignitary or official, including himself, entered the dressing room.
He said access to the area was also subject to FIFA accreditation and security protocols.
Dikko urged Obi to apologise to the Flamingos, saying: “These young champions should not be drawn into that controversy and never deserved this from Mr. Obi.”
The NSC maintained that the Flamingos’ World Cup victory should remain a moment of national pride rather than become a source of political division, urging Nigerians to support the team beyond its tournament success.
Ademide Adebayo
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