Pantami urges reward for Yobe teen who won global English competition
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has called on the Federal Government to reward Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, a 17-year-old student from Yobe State, who emerged as the top performer in English language skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London, United Kingdom.
Nafisa, a student of Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC) in Yobe State, outshone over 20,000 participants from 69 countries — including native English-speaking nations — to clinch the global title. Her victory has drawn praise from across Nigeria, with many describing her as a symbol of the nation’s academic potential.
Pantami, in a statement on Monday, said Nafisa’s success was the result of her talent, discipline, dedication, and the support of her parents and teachers. He urged the Federal Government to honour her with the same rewards given to Nigeria’s victorious women’s football and basketball teams.
Recently, Nigeria’s Super Falcons received $100,000 each, a three-bedroom flat, and the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) for winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Similarly, the women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, was celebrated for winning their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship and qualifying for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament.
Pantami recommended that Nafisa be given $100,000, a three-bedroom flat, and a national honour, while her English teacher should also receive a reward similar to those given to sports coaches and technical teams.
“Education is the passport to future development. For tomorrow to belong to us, we must prepare today through education and skills,” he said. “Nafisa and her teacher should be invited to the presidency. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.”
Pantami stressed the need for Nigeria to take education seriously and to reward academic excellence as a way of inspiring more young people to reach global standards.
