The Comrade Olushola Oladoja-led National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has described as “inadequate” the N200,000 presented by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to Miss Nafisah Abdullahi, winner of the 2025 TeenEagle global finals competition.

NANS’ displeasure was conveyed in a statement signed by Executive Director, Administration and Planning, NANS National Headquarters, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman and sent to Daily Sun on Sunday.

Nafisah, a 17-year-old student from Yobe State, outperformed 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.

Alausa presented the donation on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education at a special recognition ceremony in Abuja on Thursday.

“While NANS appreciates the recognition accorded to Miss Nafisah, we must state categorically that this reward is grossly inadequate and represents a slap on the face of Nigeria’s education system,” the national student body said.

NANS further said, “A young Nigerian, who has brought pride and global honour to the country by emerging victorious over more than 20,000 participants from 69 nations including native English-speaking countries, deserves far more than a token cash gift.

“This gesture not only downplays the magnitude of her remarkable achievement but also sends a discouraging message to millions of Nigerian students striving for academic excellence.”

NANS noted that proper compensation would serve as a motivation to Nafisah’s peers, encouragement to parents, and inspiration to communities across the country.

“Anything short of that undermines the value of education in our national discourse,” it stated.

NANS acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu has recently demonstrated commitment to educational advancement through personal interventions, highlighing the scholarship awarded in May 2025 to Adetutu Blessing Osoba, covering tuition and hostel fees in recognition of her resilience after a previous admission setback and her impressive UTME performance.

It further noted the case of Sodiq Shoyode, who was granted a scholarship alongside placement in a digital academy after attaining an outstanding UTME score of 360 at the age of 16.

Noting that these gestures reflect the president’s willingness to support young talents who distinguished themselves academically, NANS called on the Federal Ministry of Education to urgently review and upgrade the compensation given to Nafisah, ensuring that her reward is befitting of the global recognition and sacrifice.

The national student body also called on the Yobe State Government to reward Nafisah for her notable feat.

“Her victory is not just a personal achievement but a pride to Yobe State, Nigeria, and Africa at large.

“She has carried the flag of her state and country high on the global stage, and she deserves to be celebrated with dignity and honour.

“This is the kind of achievement that inspires generations, and I sincerely hope the Yobe State Government under the leadership of Mai Mala Buni will rise to the occasion and reward her in a way that matches the greatness of her feat,” the statement further reads.

NANS reiterated that education is the bedrock of national development, stressing that the treatment given to champions in the field of education must reflect the seriousness with which education in Nigeria ought to be regarded. (Sunday Sun)

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