Nigerians have expressed displeasure after President Bola Tinubu shared a message congratulating three students who have attained global excellence in education abroad.

The students, Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu, Rukayya Muhammad Fema, and Hadiza Kashim Kalli, emerged as world champions in English language communication skills and debate at the 2025 TeenEagle Global competition in London, United Kingdom.

Seventeen-year-old Nafisa was named the overall best in English language skills; 15-year-old Rukayya emerged as the overall best in debate, while Hadiza clinched the Outstanding Talent Award (gold medal).

Tinubu commended these exceptional young Nigerians for the feat and affirmed that the nation's future is much brighter with many of its youth as repositories of excellence.

The President also commended the institutions of learning, stating that these accomplishments are a testament to the quality and potential of Nigeria's education system as a nurturer of some of the world's brightest minds.

Tinubu expressed the belief that education is a critical element for national development; hence, his administration's significant investment in the sector and the removal of financial barriers for indigent Nigerians seeking higher education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

The President encouraged Nafisa, Rukayya, and Hadiza to remain steadfast in their studies and wishes them continued success.

His message, however, didn't sit well with some netizens who expressed displeasure that he didn't reward them beyond praises.

According to them, he should have also rewarded the young girls with $100,000, houses, and a national honour, as he did to the players of the Super Falcons for winning the 2025 WAFCON and the players of D'Tigress for winning the 2025 AfroBasket.

@abba_hamani 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."

@davidoghe said, "All these epistles without $100k reward..."

@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."

@drezeeric_eze said, "So Tinubu did not give her any house or money? Just commendation? What a waste of governance space! How can Bulaba value education when we don’t even know his secondary school! You encourage sports but discourage education! Mumu!"

@kenwills01 said, "This act of mediocrity by you have further confirmed that there’s little or no reward for academic excellence in Nigeria but only those who are semi-literates can gain access to the “pockets” of the president. You are shying away from the fact that this little girl struggled her way academically to where she is to win such feat, but all you could put up for the presidency is a mere “congratulations”. Maybe because she is not one of the Super Falcons or a Nigerian athlete. Shame on those who think they can run Nigeria as they like and 'nobody can do anything'. Time will tell."

ASA