Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, CON, has called on the federal government of Nigeria to formally recognise and reward Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, a 17-year-old student from Yobe State, for her exceptional performance at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finalsl held in London, United Kingdom.
In a widely shared statement, Prof Pantami commended Nafisa for emerging as the top global performer in English language skills, surpassing over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations.
He described her as “a shining example of Nigerian students’ potential to excel globally with the right opportunities and enabling environment.”
Nafisa is a student of the Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), Yobe State, and her achievement, according to Prof. Pantami, is a testament to her “natural talent, dedication, discipline, and the support she received from her parents and schools.”
Drawing comparisons with recent government gestures, Pantami referenced the $100,000 cash reward, three-bedroom flats, and Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) national honours awarded to Nigeria’s women’s football team after their 2022 WAFCON victory in Morocco.
He also cited the recognition extended to D’Tigress, the national women’s basketball team, following their fifth consecutive AfroBasket title and qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifiers.
In his words: “I strongly recommend that Nafisa deserves $100,000, a three-bedroom flat, and a national honour from the federal government of Nigeria. In addition, her English teacher deserves a reward similar to the one given to the coaching and technical team of the football and basketball players. We must continue to take education very seriously and reward the efforts of our citizens.”
Pantami emphasised the importance of rewarding excellence in education. He stated, “Education is the passport to future development, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today through education and skills.”
He concluded by urging the presidency to invite Nafisa and her English teacher for national 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.”
Prof. Pantami currently serves as Co-Chairman of the African Union’s 4th Industrial Revolution Policy Council.
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