By Augustine Akhilomen
Nigerians on social media have criticized the Federal government for rewarding the winner of the TeenEagle global finals competition, Nafisah Abdullahi, N200,000.
Representing Nigeria through the Nigerian Tulip International College, Nafisa outshone more than 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including native English-speaking nations, to clinch the world title.
At a special recognition ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suiwaba Ahmad, celebrated Nafisa’s remarkable feat and rewarded her with N200,000.
However, reacting to the development, Nigerians via their social media handles condemned the cash reward given to her compared to what was given to the Super Falcons and D’Tigress.
@MzagaSK_visionAre you kidding me? Is this kind of news that would usually be debunked after publicity? FG gift an Int’l award winner 200k? Is it because she is Hausa by origin?
@RealDamola 200k that’s like less than $150. For a teenager who just put Nigeria on the world map, it’s insulting. They should be giving her scholarships, mentorship, and serious financial support, not pocket change.
@nnabest4uau Incredible! It seems education in Nigeria is now a scam. Imagine after almost a month ago this good news filtered the Nigeria media, FG is giving only N200, 000 to a global winner of an academic contest. How do we encourage the younger ones to take their studies seriously when
@TheRealGulu Is it 200k or 2m naira please? Can somebody please, confirm the currency and amount again for us. Hope it’s not one overzealous SA that is dropping this one? Let’s allow daddy President BAT to cook by himself on this young English prodigies matter. Let’s support this girl
@esetwits In this country only thieves are rewarded.When you achieve something in academia you are tolerated. The former aviation minister Sirika was given a title for looting his ministry. APC!!!
@NaijadentistNG This is the Nigerian paradox: intellectual excellence gets tokenism, while mediocrity and entertainment are over-rewarded. Until education and innovation are valued above spectacle, we’ll keep exporting our brightest minds and importing poverty of thought.
@DTomih FG??? Aswear god don pvnish you people for neglecting education. Players could get huge money and houses to their names, but a girl that won a competition globally is 200k?? Una no do well at all. This is total rubbish
@richardomolion Why can’t FG give her $100k as they gifted super falcons? This is an opportunity for them to change the narrative cos many youths are saying “Education na scam”
@sayodabo Won’t it be better to offer her scholarships to attend any university of her choice in Nigeria?
@Geebee1st Go and play football or basketball so that can promise and not pay until 25 years later. Politicians are just out for themselves they are not interested in helping Nigerians.