FG presents N200, 000 to Nafisa Abdullahi for winning International English Contest
The Federal Government has celebrated 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi from Yobe State for emerging overall winner at the TeenEagle global finals in London, where she was named the “World Best in English.”
At an event in Abuja on Thursday, Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Ahmad, presented Nafisa with a cash prize of N200,000 and commended her for bringing pride to Nigeria.
They described her as “a shining symbol of excellence and an inspiration to young Nigerians.”
Their recognition comes after concerns raised by some northerners over what they perceived as the government’s silence on her international feat.
Representing Nigeria through the Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), Nafisa outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries — including native English-speaking nations — to secure the top position. The TeenEagle competition tests students’ skills in English, critical thinking, and communication.
Prior to the government’s recognition, the Atiku Foundation had awarded Nafisa and her teammates, Rukaiya Fema and Khadija Kalli, fully-funded scholarships in appreciation of their outstanding performance.
Speaking during the ceremony, Dr. Alausa noted that the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to strengthen the education sector and reduce the number of out-of-school children, stressing that President Bola Tinubu has placed education at the heart of his administration.
“You are the future of our nation, and you have made us proud. For the first time, education has received one of the highest budgetary allocations in Nigeria’s history. Each time we seek the President’s intervention, his answer is always ‘yes’ because he believes in you — the children of this country. Your victory emboldens us to demand more support, and we will keep pushing on your behalf,” he said.
Alausa further announced an additional cash reward of over N100,000 for Nafisa and other outstanding students in various disciplines.
On her part, Prof. Ahmad hailed Nafisa’s determination and brilliance, declaring that Nigerian youths are capable of competing — and excelling — on the global stage. “She has proven that Nigeria can stand tall with the best in the world. Nafisa is a role model for her peers,” she said, while encouraging her to view this milestone as the beginning of even greater achievements.
In her remarks, Nafisa expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the ministers, her school NTIC, and her parents for their unwavering support.
Yobe State’s Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Abba Idris, also lauded her success, emphasizing the state government’s continued commitment to celebrating educational excellence.
