Shaibu made the remark on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, while reacting to the controversy surrounding Obi’s claim that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) prevented him from greeting the Nigeria Under-17 women’s team at the Abuja airport.
The former Edo State deputy governor argued that welcoming the players at the airport was not as important as the support they received before and during the competition.
According to him, the attention given to athletes when they are facing challenges and need encouragement is more valuable than public celebrations after securing victory.
“You know, the President will not play to the gallery. And the First Lady will not play to the gallery. Going to the airport to want to see them is playing to the gallery, as far as I’m concerned,” Shaibu said.
He claimed that President Bola Tinubu personally contacted the players before, during and after the tournament, describing such interactions as a significant source of motivation.
“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.
Shaibu explained that receiving encouragement from the President during difficult moments could help athletes regain confidence and focus on their next matches.
He added that although the Flamingos deserved a heroic reception and recognition for their achievement, greater attention should be given to the preparations and support that contributed to their success.
“These girls deserve to be received, these girls deserve all the accolade that they need. But what is key is the foundation preparatory to that victory,” he stated.
The NIS director-general, who said he was a former footballer and had served as deputy governor in charge of sports in Edo State, described direct communication between political leaders and athletes as an important morale booster.
He recalled that securing a governor’s attention for players in dressing rooms was sometimes difficult, contrasting that experience with what he described as Tinubu’s willingness to personally speak with the Flamingos.
When asked whether the NFF officials were right to prevent Obi from greeting the players, Shaibu responded: “Mr Obi can stand at the airport and wave to them like every other person did.”
He also narrated an encounter with Enyimba players at an airport, explaining that he simply waved at them and allowed them to continue their journey after learning that they were travelling.
According to him, sports teams sometimes operate under instructions restricting interactions with outsiders while travelling, and such arrangements should be respected.
“When I was actively involved in sports, there are times that our system will say, look, don’t talk to anybody, just wave. And so when such instructions come, we have to follow,” he said.
The controversy followed Obi’s allegation that NFF officials stopped him from greeting the Flamingos when they returned to Abuja on Monday after winning the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Obi said he arrived at the airport at about 7am to board a flight to Enugu and asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to find out whether he could greet the players.
He alleged that he was informed that NFF officials had rejected the request and warned that they could lose their jobs if he approached the team.
However, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, disputed Obi’s account, saying officials who received the team reported that they did not see the former Anambra State governor around the players or the international terminal where the team arrived.
Dikko said two individuals wearing campaign face caps and other political merchandise associated with Obi approached officials to request a meeting and photographs with the players.
He explained that the request was declined because the team had just returned from a demanding competition and needed time to rest.
The NSC chairman also urged Obi to apologise to the players, insisting that their historic achievement should not be overshadowed by the controversy.
The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Morocco to win their first FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup title, becoming the first African nation to lift the trophy.
