Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has called on the Federal Government to reward Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, the 17-year-old student from Yobe State, who recently emerged as the world’s best in English language skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom.
Pantami, in a statement shared on Tuesday, described Nafisa’s feat as a remarkable representation of Nigeria’s academic potential on the global stage. Competing against over 20,000 participants from 69 countries — including native English-speaking nations — Nafisa clinched the top spot in the international competition.
A student of Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC) in Yobe State, Nafisa’s success, according to Pantami, was the result of her natural talent, discipline, and the support of her parents and teachers.
Pantami said the achievement deserves more than praise, urging the federal government to grant Nafisa a reward package similar to what was recently given to Nigeria’s victorious sports teams.
“Our women’s football team received $100,000, a three-bedroom flat, and national honours after winning the Women’s Africa Cup in Morocco. D’Tigress were similarly honoured after their fifth consecutive AfroBasket championship win,” he noted.
“In the same spirit, Nafisa deserves $100,000, a three-bedroom flat, and the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Her English teacher should also be rewarded like the coaching teams of our sports champions.”
Pantami emphasized the importance of education in national development, quoting, “Education is the passport to future development, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
He called for Nafisa and her teacher to be hosted by the President, stressing that “what is good for the goose is good for the gander.”
Pantami currently serves as Co-Chairman of the African Union’s 4th Industrial Revolution Policy Council.
