Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, has urged President Bola Tinubu to reward 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu for her academic excellence, in the same manner the government recently honoured the Super Falcons and D’Tigress for their sporting achievements.
Pantami made the appeal via his verified X handle on Tuesday, calling on the federal government to extend equivalent recognition to Nafisa, who emerged winner of the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in the United Kingdom. The competition featured over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations.
Nafisa, a student at Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC) in Yobe State, outperformed all other contestants to win the international English-language competition. According to Pantami, such a rare academic feat deserves high-level recognition. “Nafisa deserves recognition: \$100,000, a flat, and an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON),” he wrote.
Pantami praised the young girl’s determination, intellectual brilliance, and the supportive role played by her family and school. He argued that her success serves as evidence that Nigerian students can thrive globally when provided with the right learning conditions.
Drawing comparisons to recent sports victories, he noted that both the Super Falcons and D’Tigress received substantial rewards from the government after clinching continental titles. These included monetary gifts, houses, and national honours.
“What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Nafisa and her English teacher deserve the same kind of reward,” Pantami added, stressing the need to place academic achievement on the same pedestal as sporting success. The call comes amid growing public debate around the government’s reward policies. While many citizens have praised the recognition given to female athletes, others have criticised it, arguing that educational accomplishments should receive equal, if not greater, emphasis.
Source: https://dailypost.ng/
