A 15-year-old student, Agbo Adoga, who scored a perfect result in the standardized test (SAT) exam and qualified to represent Nigeria at the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) in China, has reportedly been denied the opportunity to attend after the Federal Ministry of Education claimed it had no funds for sponsorship.
Agbo, a student of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, earned his place in the global competition after an exceptional performance, placing Nigeria on the global map of young intellectual talent.
The development has therefore sparked outrage and criticisms on social media with netizens questioning the efficiency of the Ministry of Education.
@Shadowwwalker1 said, “@NigEducation what is this nonsense we are reading? You don’t have money to sponsor someone who will do Nigeria proud but you have money for other frivolities? Sit up and do right by the young boy now.
“We are not begging but compelling you as tax paying citizens of Nigeria, stand up to your responsibility.
“Cough out money for this life changing event for the young boy and Nigerians.”
@web3buoi said, “NIGERIAN YOUTHS ARE LAZY they say
“This is beyond disappointing. A bright mind like Agbo Adoga, representing Nigeria at the international level in Maths, is being held back because of lack of funding. Meanwhile, if it were Big Brother Naija, there’d be money for cameras, parties, sponsorship deals, and all sorts of irrelevant nonsense.
“We fund endless reality shows, football tournaments that barely produce anything, overpriced ceremonies, and unnecessary political trips—but when it comes to education, innovation, and nurturing talent, the country “doesn’t have money.”
“This is exactly why Nigeria keeps falling behind. Talent is wasted, potential is ignored, and we keep celebrating distractions instead of investing in the future. Truly heartbreaking.”
@AlabiToluwanimi wrote, “2017. Temiloluwa my friend qualified to represent Nigeria in the International Physics Olympiad in Yogyarkarta Indonesia.
“Ministry of Education denied him and some other stars from representing Nigeria.
“They cited the same issue. They’ve always been doing that for years.”
@Ibikun420 commented, “Why does this country keep dimming the light of young stars?
“Why are they hell bent on destroying d future of d youths?
“Dear angel in charge of admission in heaven, this is not the institution I applied to o, as you change my file come naija me and you go meet on judgement day.”
@busayo9ja wrote, “If ministry of education does not have money to sponsor educational activity, what is then the usefulness of the ministry.
What are they using money for exactly. Is it the ministry of works that should do the sponsor?
“What exactly is the KPI of the ministry of education?”
Adoga had also amassed an extraordinary 84 international and national awards in Mathematics, Coding, and STEM competitions, cementing his status as one of Africa’s brightest young minds.
He also secured a Perfect Score in the 2024 Singapore and Asian Schools Maths Olympiad, showcasing his unparalleled mathematical prowess.
On the international stage, Adoga is a two-time World Champion, having clinched gold medals in Mathematics at the International STEM Olympiad’s 2024 Grand Final in the Netherlands and the 2025 edition in Spain.