President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday chose only to congratulate three Nigerian students who emerged winners at the 2025 TeenEagle Global competition in London, amid calls to offer them financial rewards.

Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu, Rukayya Muhammad Fema, and Hadiza Kashim Kalli became world champions in English language communication skills and debate at the 2025 TeenEagle Global competition in the UK.

Mr Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, commended “these exceptional young Nigerians for the feat and affirms that the nation’s future is much brighter with many of its youth as repositories of excellence”.

Ignoring calls to reward the young scholars as he did for Super Falcons and D’Tigress, on whom he splurged $100,000 each and three three-bedroom flats, Mr Tinubu urged “Nafisa, Rukayya, and Hadiza to remain steadfast in their studies and wishes them continued success.”

Isa Pantami, a former minister of communications, urged Mr Tinubu to reward the youngsters with dollars and national honours.

“Nafisa Deserves Recognition: $100,000, a flat, and OON! What is good for the goose is good for the gander,” said the former minister.

An X user, @Abba_hammani, said, “All this cho-cho-cho with no tangible reward, no scholarship, no national honour, nothing. These girls made Nigeria proud on a global stage, yet all they get is “congratulations” from the State House?

“What’s the use of commendation without compensation? Other countries would’ve handed out full scholarships, laptops, even cash awards. Encouragement is good, but real investment in talent is better.”

@taheerprime said, “Where is the $100,000 prize or national reward that should rightfully accompany such a historic achievement? Celebrating excellence is commendable but rewarding it is far more meaningful. These brilliant young Nigerian girls triumphed over competitors from 69 countries in an academic contest that holds global significance.”