On Sunday, 31 August 2025, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone E (North East), publicly denounced the Federal Government’s N200,000 cash reward to Nafisah Abdullahi, who triumphed as a global champion in the TeenEagle International English Contest. In a statement signed by Comrade Sani Adamu, Chief Press Secretary to NANS Zone E’s Coordinator, the association condemned the amount as “a national disgrace”, stressing that such paltry recognition reflects a nation placing little value on academic brilliance.
The statement took aim at the faint reward, saying:
“While we commend our students for their brilliance and outstanding performance on the global stage, we consider the reward grossly inadequate and not reflective of the value of their achievement.”
NANS asserted that feats of this calibre deserve celebration worthy of their calibre—something that uplifts not just winners but also other hardworking students locally.
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The chasm between sports shine and academic silence
In sharp contrast, NANS pointed out the stark disparity in how Nigeria rewards its achievers. While sportswomen—like the Super Falcons and D’Tigress—received lavish prizes and national honours, academically gifted students were left with “peanuts.”
The Super Falcons, after their dramatic 3–2 comeback victory over Morocco in the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the D’Tigress, who secured a fifth consecutive AfroBasket championship, were handsomely rewarded by President Bola Tinubu. The cash prizes alone were staggering:
- $100,000 per player, plus a national honour (Officer of the Order of the Niger—OON), and a three-bedroom apartment in the government’s Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Abuja for each of the 24 players.
- The technical and support crew took home $50,000 each.
NANS emphasised how such discrepancies spotlight a government that celebrates sporting triumphs with million-naira incentives, while intellect and education remain undervalued.
Fear of discouraging academic excellence in a struggling sector
Touching on broader national concerns, NANS warned that the meagre reward is not just symbolic—it’s dangerous and demoralising for a nation whose education sector is already teetering:
“It is tragic that in a country battling a collapsing education sector, students who fly Nigeria’s flag on the global stage are mocked with N200,000, while politicians enjoy reckless luxury at the expense of taxpayers. This is not only insulting but dangerous for our future.”
The implication is clear: under-rewarding academic achievement risks sending a message that hard study and scholastic dedication are secondary to the glamour of sports—and that, NANS argues, should be unacceptable.
Thus, they called for the Federal Government to urgently review and upscale the cash reward to align with global standards of recognition for academic excellence.
A fitting tribute: it’s more than just money
Seen through the lens of global best practices, an appropriate honour for a feat like Nafisah’s must go beyond mere pocket change. Many believe truly fitting recognition should include:
- Comprehensive Scholarships – Covering secondary and tertiary education expenses.
- International Exposure – Study abroad opportunities, mentorship, or exchange programmes.
- National Honours – A designation like OON or similar, to permanently immortalise their achievement.
- Role-Model Platforms – Invitations to share their story in schools, media, and public forums, inspiring the next generation.
Indeed, while the Atiku Foundation had earlier awarded fully-funded scholarships to Nafisah and her teammates, the lack of follow-through from the government contrasted heavily with their promise—an additional point of government underperformance.
NANS’ push, then, isn’t just about raising N200,000—it’s about restoring dignity, inspiring millions, and signalling that education deserves celebration equal to or even surpassing that of sports.
Conclusion
At its core, this isn’t merely a student bodies vs. government spat. It’s a reflection of how Nigeria measures success—and what it chooses to celebrate. When a teenager excels on the world stage in academics, it should be a source of national pride, not a moment to pass a meagre gesture before the public moves on.
The focus key-phrase—“Nigerian students slam N200,000 prize for global winner” encapsulates both the protest and the wider concern: that visionary, scholarly achievement must be honoured with more than lip service.
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