“Now is the time to rethink the purpose of education and to change the system for the better.”

It has been said, times without number, that the priority placed on education in this part of the world is infinitesimal and outrageously poor. The level of recognition given to academic excellence is a true reflection of how little importance our leaders place on education.

This lack of seriousness becomes glaring when we contrast the paltry rewards for academic achievement with the extravagant incentives showered on athletes and entertainers. If leaders truly valued education, they would provide substantial rewards such as full scholarships, lifelong opportunities, or even national honors to encourage young people to pursue knowledge.

There are countless instances to prove this point. Year after year, the budgetary allocation for education is dwarfed by other sectors, leaving schools underfunded, teachers underpaid, and facilities neglected.

The latest example is the federal government’s reward of a mere ₦200,000 to Nafisa Abdullah, the Nigerian teenager from Yobe who emerged World Best in English at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London. Despite the significance of this achievement on the global stage, the recognition she received at home was tokenistic at best.

This is both unfair and unacceptable. By contrast, the same federal government recently awarded $100,000 and blocks of land to members of the Super Falcons for their football success. Two victories—one in sports, one in education—but worlds apart in recognition and reward. This disparity lays bare how poorly we value education as a nation.

Unfortunately, this is not new. The tradition of discrediting education runs deep. Years ago, the presidential candidate of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), Fela Durotoye, remarked that Nigerian leaders do not value education simply because they themselves lack a qualitative one.

He said, “Since most of them have no idea of what education actually means, they are always finding it very difficult to actually define the space of education in a nation’s development. If you do not have something, it is possible for you not to value it.”

Meanwhile, in the entertainment industry, rewards are astronomical. Take Big Brother Naija, for instance, where winners cart home prizes worth over ₦25 million, in addition to cars and endorsement deals. In contrast, winners of spelling bees, essay contests, and other academic competitions are often left with paltry sums that barely reflect the magnitude of their achievements. The government, instead of setting the right example, continues to reinforce this injustice.

From the very beginning, it was clear that nothing tangible would be given to properly compensate the Yobe girl for her global triumph. But this cannot continue. If Nigeria must truly progress, the government must change its attitude towards education. It must lead by example, rewarding intellectual excellence as much—if not more—than physical or entertainment feats.

Because in the end, nations are built on knowledge, not just on games.

Background on Nafisa Abdullah and the TeenEagle Competition

Seventeen-year-old Nafisa Aminu Abdullah, a bright student from Yobe State, Nigeria, brought pride to the nation when she emerged World Best in English at the TeenEagle Global Finals 2025 held in London. The TeenEagle competition is an international contest that brings together some of the brightest teenagers from across the world to test their proficiency in English language, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Nafisa’s victory is not just a personal milestone but a historic achievement for Nigeria, placing the country on the global map of academic excellence. Competing against participants from dozens of nations, she showcased not only her mastery of English but also the resilience and brilliance of Nigerian youth.

Back home, however, the recognition she received was underwhelming. The federal government announced a cash reward of ₦200,000—an amount many Nigerians consider paltry, especially when compared to the lavish prizes given to athletes and entertainers. For many, this has reignited the conversation on how Nigeria treats its brightest minds, and whether the nation truly values education as a cornerstone of development.