Nafisa Spoke, the World Listened, And Nigeria Shined

When I first read about 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu emerging as the World Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London, I paused, read it again, and then sat quietly, moved in a way I haven’t been in a long time. In that moment, I wasn’t just a Nigerian reading a piece of good news; I was a Nigerian filled with pride, hope, and a renewed belief in our greatness.

Let me be honest: in a country weighed down by insecurity, economic hardship, and a struggling educational system, it’s easy, too easy, to become cynical. But Nafisa’s victory pierced through that fog of despair and reminded me why I have always believed in this country, despite everything.

Think about it: this young girl, from Yobe State, a region often reduced to a footnote in conversations about insecurity and poverty, stood on a global stage in London, not just to participate, but to conquer. She didn’t just win a medal. She defeated over 20,000 participants from 69 countries, including from places where English is a first language.

Let that sink in.

As someone who has spent years writing, editing, and advocating for better education in Nigeria, I understand just how powerful and rare this kind of achievement is. I see myself in Nafisa, in her curiosity, her hunger for knowledge, and her refusal to be boxed in by circumstance. Her story makes me emotional, not just because it’s inspiring, but because it reminds me of the many gifted Nigerian children who never get the chance to shine. Nafisa represents them, and she represents what’s possible when we choose to invest in our youth.

I am also deeply moved by the humility and grace of the Aminu family, who publicly acknowledged the role of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s educational reforms and the impact of Nigerian Tulip International College in preparing their daughter for the global stage. This wasn’t a solo journey; it was a collective effort rooted in family values, good governance, and dedicated educators.

“We cannot take all the credit,” they said. And in that simple statement, they reminded me that when leadership, community, and family work together, magic happens.

Nafisa’s win isn’t just a win for Yobe State. It’s not even just a win for Nigeria. It’s a resounding answer to every doubt we’ve ever had about our potential as a nation. Her victory tells every Nigerian child that “you are enough, and the world will hear your voice if you dare to speak it.”

As I write this, I think about the millions of young girls in the North and across Nigeria who will see Nafisa’s face and think, “If she can do it, so can I.” That, right there, is the power of representation.

I join the growing chorus of voices calling for State and National Honours for Nafisa. We must celebrate her not just with headlines, but with action, by investing more in education, giving scholarships, and ensuring that no child with potential is left behind because of geography, gender, or poverty.

To Nafisa, if you ever read this, know that you didn’t just win a competition; you reignited a nation’s pride. You gave us something we desperately needed: a reason to believe again.

And to Nigeria, this is who we are: brilliant, resilient, and unstoppable when given a chance.

Nafisa didn’t just make Yobe proud. She made me proud. She made us proud.