Pantami asks Tinubu to reward teen who won global English competition with national honour, $100k and house like athletes

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reward 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, who recently won a global English competition in the UK, the same way the government rewarded the Super Falcons and D’Tigress for their victories.

IntelRegion earlier reports that, Nafisa, a student of Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC) in Yobe State, outshone over 20,000 participants from 69 countries — including native English-speaking nations — to clinch the global title. Her victory has drawn praise from across Nigeria, with many describing her as a symbol of the nation’s academic potential.

Pantami, in post made via his social media page on Tuesday, said Nafisa’s success was the result of her talent, discipline, dedication, and the support of her parents and teachers. 

He urged the Federal Government to honour her with the same rewards given to Nigeria’s victorious women’s football and basketball teams.

Recently, Nigeria’s Super Falcons received $100,000 each, a three-bedroom flat, and the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) for winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. 

Similarly, the women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, was celebrated for winning their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship and qualifying for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament.

Pantami recommended that Nafisa be given $100,000, a three-bedroom flat, and a national honour, while her English teacher should also receive a reward similar to those given to sports coaches and technical teams.

“Education is the passport to future development. For tomorrow to belong to us, we must prepare today through education and skills,” he said. 

“Nafisa and her teacher should be invited to the presidency. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.”

Pantami stressed the need for Nigeria to take education seriously and to reward academic excellence as a way of inspiring more young people to reach global standards.