In Nigeria’s whims-based reward system, sports and entertainment stars are lavishly honoured while academic laurels attract only token recognition. The Federal Government recently awarded the Super Falcons and D’Tigress the naira equivalent of $100,000, national honours and three-bedroom apartments. In contrast, 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, crowned World’s Best in English Language Skills, received a “paltry N200,000.”
While the Education Minister described her feat as a testament to brilliance and resilience, the moment was widely viewed as a farce — mere condolence rather than genuine celebration of intellect. The N200,000 barely covered travel costs from Damaturu to Abuja, raising doubts about the sincerity of the reward.
The article details decades-old low prizes for top graduates — a yam, a fowl, N200 or N2,500, or just a handshake — that starkly contrast with millions awarded to reality-show winners such as Big Brother Naija and Nigerian Idol.
Calls are mounting for a standard, merit-based national reward system. “This government has once again demonstrated that it places no premium on education when our students put Nigeria on the global map through knowledge, they are handed peanuts,” lamented the National Association of Nigerian Students.