By Sabiu Abdullahi
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to honour 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, who recently clinched first place in the English language category at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London.
Nafisa, a student of Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC) in Yobe State, emerged the best among more than 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations.
Her victory, widely celebrated across educational and social circles, has been described by Pantami as a moment of pride for Nigeria.
“I read from various reliable sources that Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, a 17-year-old student from Yobe State in Nigeria, has indeed been recognised as the top performer in English language skills globally… We are proud of you, Nafisa,” he said.
Pantami emphasised that her success could be traced to her natural ability, dedication, and the support system provided by her parents and teachers.
He added that this global recognition should attract the same kind of reward that was recently extended to Nigeria’s victorious female athletes.
“Recently, our women’s football team won the Women’s Africa Cup in Morocco. Each player received $100,000, a three-bedroom flat, and a national honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
In addition, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, received similar rewards after winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship,” Pantami noted.
He went further to advocate equal recognition for Nafisa’s teacher, similar to what the technical teams of the Super Falcons and D’Tigress received.
“We must continue to take education very seriously and reward the efforts of our citizens,” he said.
Describing education as the passport to future development, the former minister urged the presidency to invite Nafisa and her English teacher for official recognition.
“Let’s invite our daughter and the daughter of all Nigerians, along with her English teacher, to the presidency. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.”
Pantami signed off the statement with a powerful reminder: “Education is the foundation upon which we build our future and the future of our country.”