The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has clarified that the N200,000 given to TeenEagle champions came from his personal funds, not the Federal Government.
Minister Responds to Backlash
On Thursday, the ministry’s spokesperson, Boriowo Folasade, issued a statement. It explained that the clarification became necessary after Nigerians criticised the amount online. Many compared it with the larger rewards usually given to athletes in football and basketball.
TeenEagle Champions Honoured
The winners – Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu, Rukayya Muhammad Fema, and Hadiza Kashim Kalli – emerged champions after defeating thousands of contestants worldwide. The English-language competition was hosted in the United Kingdom.
At the national recognition event on August 28, 2025, Alausa presented each of them with N200,000. Soon after, critics assumed the money was government-funded.
Minister Clarifies the Source
“For clarity, the ministry wishes to state that the monetary gifts were personal contributions from the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa,” the statement read. “They were not from the federal government or the ministry’s budget.”
The minister also confirmed this on his verified social media handle. According to him, the gift was a token of appreciation and motivation for the young achievers.
Focus Remains on Scholarships
Alausa explained that the ministry’s funds are reserved for scholarships and structured educational support. These cover students in public universities, colleges of education, and polytechnics. Therefore, cash awards are not part of its official budget.
He urged the public to see his gesture as encouragement for the winners. Moreover, he stressed that it should inspire other students across Nigeria.
Commitment to Education Excellence
“The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to recognising excellence and building a globally competitive system,” the statement concluded. It added that this aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of https://vondigest.com/category/education/ as the foundation of national growth.
