Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, has urged the Federal Government to institute national recognition and reward systems for academic excellence, comparable to those given to sports and entertainment achievers.
Pantami made the call via his official social media handle following the global triumph of 17-year-old Nigerian student, Nafisa Aminu, who emerged as the top performer in English Language skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals, outshining participants from 69 countries.
He advocated that Nafisa be honoured with a $100,000 prize, a three-bedroom house, and a national award, just like Nigeria’s victorious female sports teams; the Super Falcons and D’Tigress who recently received similar rewards.
“This is not just about Nafisa,” Pantami stated. “It is about what we value as a nation. Academic brilliance must be celebrated the same way we celebrate physical feats and celebrity status. If we want transformation, we must place equal value on intellect.”
The former minister’s statement has sparked widespread debate, bringing attention to the glaring disparity in how Nigeria celebrates achievements in sports and entertainment, while often overlooking exceptional academic accomplishments.
Commentators note that such national recognition would not only honour Nafisa’s outstanding performance, but also serve as an inspiration to millions of students across the country. Many argue that teachers and mentors who nurture such excellence should also be included in these honours, similar to how coaches of winning teams are celebrated.
“This is a golden opportunity to shift our national priorities and prove that education and intellect matter just as much,” Pantami emphasized.
Observers say that public headlines like “Young Nigerian Scholar Awarded $100,000, House, and National Honour for Academic Brilliance” would reinforce national pride and reshape how success is defined among youths.
The TeenEagle Global Finals is an internationally acclaimed academic competition, and Nafisa’s historic win places Nigeria in the global spotlight for intellectual achievement.
Stakeholders in education and civil society are now echoing Pantami’s call, urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take decisive steps in rewarding academic excellence with tangible incentives and institutional support.
“Rewarding our best minds is not charity,” Pantami concluded. “It is an investment in our future.”
