The Federal Ministry of Education has clarified that the cash gifts presented to Nigerian winners of the 2025 TeenEagle Global Competition were personal donations from minister of education Tunji Alausa and not from government funds.
In August, N200,000 was presented to Nafisa Aminu, winner of the TeenEagle Global Finals in the United Kingdom.
Reports later indicated that a total of N1.7 million was shared among eight Nigerian students who excelled at the competition.
In a statement released on Thursday on its official X handle, the ministry said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry wishes to state categorically that the monetary tokens presented at the national recognition event held on Thursday, 28th August 2025, were personal gifts from the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa. These gifts were not funded by the Federal Government or the Federal Ministry of Education.”
Mr Alausa also confirmed on his social media page that the gesture was meant to encourage the students.
“This gift was just a token of my appreciation of the effort made by these young girls and to also serve as encouragement to other girls and young children in Nigeria to excel,” he said.
The ministry stressed that its financial provisions are channelled into scholarships and structured educational support in line with government policy and not into direct cash awards.
It urged the public to disregard reports suggesting that the funds came from government coffers.
It added that the minister’s gesture should be seen as a personal act of generosity aimed at inspiring young Nigerians to pursue excellence.
