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By Myke Agunwa
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu, Rukayya Muhammad Fema, and Hadiza Kashim Kalli for emerging world champions in English language communication skills and debate at the 2025 TeenEagle Global competition in London, United Kingdom.
Seventeen-year-old Nafisa was named the overall best in English language skills; 15-year-old Rukayya emerged as the overall best in debate, while Hadiza clinched the outstanding talent award (gold medal).
The trio, students of the Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC) in Mamudo, Potiskum Local Government Area, Yobe State, outperformed over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations, in a competition that rigorously tested English proficiency, critical thinking, and communication skills.
The global competition, which was held from July 27 to August 3 at the University of Surrey, United Kingdom, saw over 900 students from 46 countries compete in the final stage after an initial online round. The contest evaluated both receptive skills (reading and listening) and productive skills (writing and speaking), showcasing the exceptional abilities of the Yobe students.
President Tinubu in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) on Wednesday, commended these exceptional young Nigerians for the feat and affirms that the nation’s future is much brighter with many of its youth as repositories of excellence.
The President also commended the institutions of learning and stated that these accomplishments are a testament to the quality and potential of Nigeria’s education system as a nurturer of some of the world’s brightest minds.
President Tinubu believes that education is a critical element for national development; hence, his administration’s significant investment in the sector and the removal of financial barriers for indigent Nigerians seeking higher education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
The President encouraged Nafisa, Rukayya, and Hadiza to remain steadfast in their studies and wished them continued success.
Meanwhile, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, has called on the Federal Government to honor the champions with national rewards.
Pantami, in a passionate appeal via his official Facebook and X accounts on Wednesday, urged the President to reward Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu with $100,000, a three-bedroom flat, and the national honor of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), similar to recognitions recently bestowed upon Nigeria’s Super Falcons and D’Tigress for their sporting achievements.
He also recommended that Nafisa’s English teacher receive a reward akin to those given to the coaching staff of the national sports teams. “What is good for the goose is good for the gander,” Pantami wrote, emphasizing the need to celebrate academic excellence with the same enthusiasm as athletic accomplishments. “Education is the foundation upon which we build our future and the future of our country.”
On the same note, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar remarked that Nafisa’s success is a testament to the potential of Nigerian girls when given access to quality education.
In a post on X, he wrote, “Nafisa’s outstanding success serves as a powerful testament to the limitless potential of the Nigerian girl-child when provided with quality education and a supportive environment.”
Similarly, a Yobe State philanthropist Kashim Musa Tumsah also lauded the students, announcing a cash reward of N500,000 and a brand-new laptop for each to support their educational pursuits.
“These students have not only demonstrated academic excellence and discipline but have also highlighted the immense potential of Nigerian youth, particularly from the North-East region,” Tumsah stated on his Facebook page.