The Federal Government has honoured Nigerian students who emerged global champions at the 2025 TeenEagle English Competition in London, describing their victory as a triumph of resilience, talent, and the power of education.
At a reception in Abuja, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, presented cash awards to the outstanding students, led by 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu of Yobe State, who was crowned the world’s best in English Language Skills. Nafisa received a cheque of ₦200,000, while other winners received between ₦100,000 and ₦150,000 in recognition of their excellence across different categories, including debate, spelling bee, productive skills, and talent presentation.
Dr. Alausa hailed the champions for placing Nigeria and Africa firmly on the global stage of academic excellence. He said their achievements reflect the brilliance of Nigerian youth and the impact of sustained government and community investment in education. He also commended Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, for rebuilding and strengthening the state’s education system after years of insurgency, urging other state leaders to emulate such commitment.
“We are proud of what our children have achieved. This victory proves that with the right support, Nigerian students can compete with the best in the world,” the minister said. He further assured that the Federal Government will continue to expand scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and access to quality learning resources to nurture future champions.
Yobe State Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Abba Adam, described the students’ performance as a symbol of resilience and a milestone in the state’s journey of rebuilding. He highlighted ongoing investments in infrastructure, teacher recruitment, school feeding, and scholarships that have produced results such as these global victories.
In her remarks, Nafisa expressed gratitude to her parents, teachers, and the government for their support. She dedicated her success to the resilience of Yobe State’s education system and unveiled her project, English Language for Peace and Development, aimed at promoting literacy, dialogue, and social cohesion among young people.
Other Nigerian winners at the competition include Oluwasemilore Samuelle Akinyemi (Overall 1st Place Winner in TeenEagle 2), Cara Victor Antai (3rd Place and Silver Medalist in Spelling Bee), and Jayden Kwalmi (Best in Spelling Bee and Most Outstanding Talent). Rukayya Muhammad, Hadiza Kashim Kalli, Mansata Njai, and Fatim B. Njai also excelled in various categories, winning medals and recognition for their skills.
The celebration drew dignitaries including the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suiwaba Ahmed; senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Education; and representatives of the Yobe State Ministry of Education.
Dr. Alausa concluded by urging Nigerian students nationwide to be inspired by the champions’ story, reminding them that with discipline, hard work, and perseverance, they too can rise to global prominence.
Elijah Adeyemi
