Seventeen-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi from Yobe has been honored after winning the TeenEagle global English competition.
She outshone over 20,000 students worldwide, earning praise, cash rewards, and government recognition.
The Federal Government has honored 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi from Yobe State after she emerged as the overall winner of the TeenEagle global finals in London, where she was crowned World Best in English.
During a recognition event in Abuja on Thursday, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, along with Prof. Suiwaba Ahmad, the Minister of State for Education, awarded Nafisa a cash prize of ₦200,000.
Both ministers praised her achievement, describing her as “a beacon of excellence and inspiration to Nigerian youths.”
Nafisa, who represented Nigeria through the Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), outperformed more than 20,000 students from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations, to secure the top prize. The TeenEagle contest tests English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills.
The recognition comes after public criticism that the government had initially failed to acknowledge her achievement. Before the ceremony in Abuja, the Atiku Foundation awarded fully funded scholarships to Nafisa and her teammates, Rukaiya Fema and Khadija Kalli, in recognition of their impressive achievements at the global competition.
During the event, Dr. Alausa commented that Nafisa’s success highlighted Nigeria’s capabilities on an international level and reinforced President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to emphasizing education.
“You are the future of Nigeria, and you have made us proud,” he said. “For the first time in our history, we have one of the highest budgetary allocations to education. Whenever we seek the President’s support, his response has consistently been enthusiastic because he has faith in you, the youth of Nigeria.
The minister also announced additional cash rewards of over ₦100,000 for Nafisa and other students who had excelled in various competitions.
Professor Ahmad praised Nafisa’s dedication and talent, noting that her achievements showcase the ability of Nigerian youths to succeed and compete on a global stage. “Nafisa has shown that Nigeria is gifted and capable of standing alongside the world’s best,” she remarked.
Nafisa, in her remarks, thanked President Tinubu, the education ministers, her school, and her parents for their support, pledging to continue making Nigeria proud.
Yobe State Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Abba Idris, also lauded the teenager’s achievement, saying it reflected the state government’s growing commitment to educational excellence.
