Three young students from Yobe State have been celebrated for their stellar performance at the 2025 TeenEagle Global English Championship in London a feat that not only elevated Nigeria’s educational reputation but also inspired a surge of local recognition led by philanthropist Kashim Musa Tumsah.
The Yobe-born humanitarian has rewarded each of the high-flying students with ₦500,000 and a brand-new laptop, in what many observers hail as both a personal gesture and a significant investment in the future of education in northern Nigeria.
The awardees 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu, 15-year-old Rukayya Muhammad Fema, and Hadiza Kashim Kalli represented Nigeria at the prestigious competition, outperforming over 20,000 participants from 69 countries. The trio clinched top honours in various categories, including English language proficiency, debate, and creativity.
Tumsah, in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, lauded their triumph as a milestone for the region and the country:
“We proudly celebrate the outstanding achievement of three brilliant young students from Yobe State, Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu, Rukayya Muhammad Fema, and Hadiza Kashim Kalli, who have brought honour to Nigeria at the TeenEagle Global English Championship held in London.
“Emerging victorious among over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, these students have not only demonstrated academic excellence and discipline but have also highlighted the immense potential of Nigerian youth, particularly from the North-East region.
“Their success reflects the growing impact of continued investments in education under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, whose commitment to creating an enabling learning environment is yielding truly exceptional results.”
He described the reward as a tool to empower and encourage continued academic excellence:
“In recognition of this inspiring global accomplishment, a cash reward of ₦500,000 and a brand-new laptop each will be presented to support and further empower their educational pursuits.
“This milestone is a source of pride not only for Yobe State but for Nigeria as a whole. It stands as a powerful reminder of what is possible when talent meets opportunity, and it serves to inspire countless other young Nigerians to aim higher through education and perseverance.
Congratulations to our champions from Yobe. The future is bright.”
Among the trio, Rukayya Muhammad Fema earned the Overall Best in Debate title, Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu emerged Overall Best in English Language Skills, while Hadiza Kashim Kalli was honoured with the Outstanding Talent Award for her creativity and stage presence.
The recognition has been widely welcomed as a timely boost for educational morale, particularly in underserved northern communities. Analysts and educators alike view Tumsah’s support as part of a growing culture of grassroots philanthropy aimed at bridging gaps in access and opportunity.
Tumsah is no stranger to such interventions. Earlier this year, he awarded ₦100,000 each to 29 students from Yobe who scored above 300 in the 2025 JAMB examination, totaling ₦2.9 million — a move many described as unprecedented in the state’s educational history.
Through his KMT – Light Up Yobe Initiative, Tumsah has also sponsored JAMB forms, free tutorials, and mock CBT exams for candidates across all 17 LGAs in the state.
Beyond academics, his broader humanitarian portfolio includes commissioning a pedestrian bridge in Rugar Fulani, Potiskum, to solve seasonal flooding that isolated schoolchildren. He has also provided relief materials to over 350 households affected by windstorms in Fika and led support efforts for insurgency victims in Tarmuwa.
With his consistent engagement in education and community upliftment, Kashim Musa Tumsah is increasingly being seen as a transformative figure whose work continues to shape hope and ambition in Yobe and beyond.
