By our reporter
In a heartwarming display of national pride and recognition of academic excellence, the Federal Government of Nigeria has awarded ₦200,000 to a Nigerian teenager, Nafisah Abdullahi, for her outstanding performance in the TeenEagle Global English Competition.
Nafisah, who emerged as the overall global champion in the prestigious international English language contest, was honoured during a special ceremony held in Abuja. The award was presented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Sununu commended Nafisah for her remarkable achievement, describing her victory as a testament to the intellectual capacity and potential of young Nigerians. He noted that the recognition was not only a reward for her personal brilliance but also a call to action for other students to strive for global excellence.
Nafisah has made Nigeria proud on the world stage. Her triumph shows that Nigerian students can compete and win at the highest levels globally, the minister said.
The TeenEagle Global English Competition is an annual international event that attracts participants from numerous countries, testing their skills in English language proficiency, critical thinking, and communication. Nafisah’s win brought global attention to Nigeria’s educational talent and sparked widespread praise across the country.
While the ₦200,000 award sparked some public debate on social media, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga defended the gesture, stating that rewarding academic excellence should be a national priority. In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, Onanuga pointed out that while entertainment shows like Big Brother Naija offer grand prizes of up to ₦150 million, it is only fair that academic brilliance is equally celebrated.
A country that rewards frivolity but neglects intellect will not go far. Nafisah deserves every kobo and more for putting Nigeria on the global map, Onanuga stated.
This gesture follows a pattern of recognition by the Tinubu administration, which earlier this year awarded ₦152 million each to members of Nigeria’s Super Falcons after their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and similarly rewarded the national women’s basketball team after their Afrobasket win.
Educational stakeholders and civil society groups have lauded the move, urging the government to continue supporting and investing in youth development, especially in education, science, and technology.
Nafisah Abdullahi, visibly elated, expressed gratitude to the government and pledged to continue striving for excellence. She encouraged other Nigerian students to dream big and take advantage of global opportunities to showcase their talents.
