THE victory of 17-year-old Nafisa Aminu at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London has sparked widespread celebration and renewed national discourse on the value of education in Nigeria.
Nafisa, a student of Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), Yobe State, reportedly beat over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations, to emerge the overall best in English Language skills.
The achievement, which many described as historic and inspiring has drawn commendations from across political, educational, and public spheres, with some Nigerians demanding that the Federal Government confer national honours and financial rewards on the teenager, akin to those granted to Nigeria’s sports champions.
A statement on Tuesday, August 5, by Yobe State Governor Mai Buni congratulated Aminu and one other teenager Ruqayya Fema, for emerging overall best in the English Language and debate competition at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London.
The statement, signed by the governor’s Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, Mamman Mohammed, described the outstanding performance as a great honour to the state and country.
It noted that both Aminu and Fema were beneficiaries of the governor’s scholarship scheme, which also covers tuition for 890 students currently enrolled at NTIC.
“These are great feats that make us proud and justify the government’s investment in the education sector,” he said.
The governor further said he had approved a grand reception to honour the winners at a later date.
Other national leaders react
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar lauded Aminu’s perfomance at the global stage, describing her success as “a powerful testament to the limitless potential of the Nigerian girl-child when provided with quality education and a supportive environment.
“Investing in the education of our girls is not just a matter of fairness; it is a strategic necessity for national transformation.
“:Let us, as a community, commit to dismantling every barrier that prevents the girl-child from realising her full potential,” Abubakar said in a statement.
Similarly, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, said that Nafisa should be honoured with $100,000, a three-bedroom flat, and the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), similar to rewards recently given to members of the Super Falcons and D’Tigress.
“I strongly recommend that Nafisa deserves $100,000, a three-bedroom flat, and a national honour from the Federal Government of Nigeria. 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.
“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,” Pantami stated.
On July 28, the Nigerian government gifted each member of the Super Falcons $100,000, a flat, and national honours after their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph in Morocco. A similar gesture was extended to the D’Tigress basketball team for their fifth consecutive AfroBasket title on August 4.
Nigerians laud Aminu’s achievement
A social media user Gideon stated that “The best offer is full scholarship for the entire duration of her studies in any school of choice, an apartment for her family and immediate employment after graduation from school.”
Another user, Jasper, framed the achievement within the broader context of Nigerian youth potential, adding that the Nafisa’s victory “is a powerful reminder that Nigeria’s educational system still has bright sparks…It would be unjust for a student like Nafisa, who received a solid foundation from NTIC, to be limited by outdated systems at the next academic level.”
Also, @Kayode_MK wrote: “She deserves more than applause; she deserves the nation’s honour. We roll out red carpets for athletes. Let’s do the same for intellect. Genius is also a national treasure.”
Many citizens echoed similar sentiments online, celebrating Nafisa as a role model for young girls across Nigeria and urging both state and federal governments to recognise and support more academic achievers.
Mustapha Usman is an investigative journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: musman@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M