- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Government has again come under fire as it awarded a sum of N200,000 to 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi who emerged as the overall winner of the global contest in English language.
Nafisa’s feat had come to the limelight after outshining over 20,000 students from 69 countries to emerge the world’s best in English language skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.
Her victory had coincided with the moment Nigerian women’s national football team, Super Falcons, won their 10th Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco.
The Super Falcons were hosted in a grand reception on their arrival to Abuja and awarded $100,000 each from President Bola Tinubu while their technical crew received $50,000 each.
They were also given a 3-bedroom flat each at the Renewed Hope Estate.
However, Nafisa’s feat alongside other teenagers who represented Nigeria won at their respective categories tend to be sliding under the carpet of unrecognition.
This had sparked demand for similar reward for the students.
The Federal Government would on Thursday finally bowed to netizens pressure as the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suiwaba Ahmad, held a special recognition ceremony for Nafisa and other award winners in Abuja.
While commending the team for their feat, Alausa, in a post on his X handle disclosed awarding Nafisa a sum of N200,000.
The other award winners received N150,000 each from the Minister.
He however noted that the monetary gift was a personal gesture of appreciation from him.
“Today, we proudly celebrate our brilliant Nigerian students who shone at the TeenEagle Global Finals in the UK, competing with over 900 students from 40+ countries and winning gold, silver, bronze, and special awards across debate, English skills, and talent categories.
“This remarkable achievement is more than medals—it is proof that Nigerian youth, when given the right opportunities, can compete and win anywhere in the world.
“As a personal gesture of appreciation, I gave each winner a monetary gift from my own resources to encourage and empower them to continue striving for the highest levels of academic success.
“To Nafisa, Oluwasemilore, Rukkaya, Cara, Jayden, Hadiza, Mansata and Fatim: medal or not, you are champions.
“You have carried Nigeria proudly onto the global stage and inspired millions of your peers to dream bigger and reach higher.” Alausa wrote.
However, the Minister’s personal gesture as he claimed had sparked mixed reactions from netizens on X.
They described the award as evidence of the government’s disregard for education and academic success.
Some however commended the Minister for the gesture.
“N200k.. It’s obvious this country doesn’t value academic excellence. Now there is news that FG never signed any agreement with ASUU. It’s a pitiable situation we find ourselves in. No encouragement for academic excellence.”@KpomIscarot