Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has called on the Nigerian government to bestow national recognition on Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, a 17-year-old prodigy from Yobe State, for emerging as the world’s top English language performer at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London.
In a post on X Tuesday, Pantami praised Nafisa’s exceptional achievement, noting that she triumphed over more than 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations — an extraordinary feat for a Nigerian student.
“Nafisa Deserves Recognition: $100,000, a flat, and OON! I read from various reliable sources that Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, a 17-year-old student from Yobe State in Nigeria, has indeed been recognised as the top performer in English language skills globally at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom,” Pantami stated.
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“She outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations, to win the competition. We are proud of you, Nafisa.”
Nafisa is a student of Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC) in Yobe State, and her victory has become a symbol of pride and celebration not just in her home state, but across the nation.
Pantami attributed her global success to a combination of natural brilliance, strong discipline, and the crucial support from her parents and educational institutions.
“There is no doubt that her success can be attributed to her natural talent, dedication, discipline, and support she received from her parents and the schools she attended,” he noted.“
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“Nafisa’s achievement highlights her as a shining example of Nigerian students’ potential to excel globally with the right opportunities and enabling environment.”
The former minister emphasized the need for government support, recalling how athletes representing Nigeria in global sporting events were handsomely rewarded. He drew parallels between Nafisa’s academic success and the accolades given to Nigeria’s women’s football and basketball teams.
“Recently, our women’s football team won the Women’s Africa Cup in Morocco. Each player received $100,000, a three-bedroom flat, and a national honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
“In addition, our Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, was appreciated following their historic fifth consecutive victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship,” Pantami said.
He argued that academic excellence should not be sidelined in the national reward system and urged the federal government to extend the same level of appreciation to Nafisa and her English teacher.
“I strongly recommend that Nafisa deserves $100,000, a three-bedroom flat, and a national honour from the federal government of Nigeria,” Pantami urged.
“In addition, her English teacher deserves a reward similar to the one given to the coaching and technical team of the football and basketball players. We must continue to take education very seriously and reward the efforts of our citizens.”
Reinforcing the importance of education in shaping the nation’s future, Pantami quoted a popular saying, linking it to the broader development goals of the country.
“Interestingly, it is said that education is the passport to future development, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today through education and skills,” he remarked.
Concluding his remarks, Pantami called for an official presidential reception for Nafisa and her teacher, asserting that their contributions to Nigeria’s image should not go unnoticed.
“Finally, it is essential to always remember that education is the foundation upon which we build our future and the future of our country,” he said.
“Let’s invite our daughter and the daughter of all Nigerians, along with her English teacher, to the presidency. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.”
Pantami’s passionate plea comes at a time when education stakeholders are urging the government to place greater emphasis on academic achievements, rewarding excellence across all sectors, not just sports and entertainment.
