Not lack of funds’: FG addresses alleged refusal to sponsor Nigerian student for maths contest in China
‘Not lack of funds’: FG addresses alleged refusal to sponsor Nigerian student for maths contest in China
The Federal Ministry of Education has debunked a viral report suggesting that it received a sponsorship request from a 15-year-old student qualified to represent Nigeria at the International Mathematics Olympiad in China.
According to a Sunday statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director, Press and Public Relations, the ministry stated that it has no record of such a request from any recognised body.
The Chief Executive Officer of Educare, Alex Onyia, had claimed that the Ministry refused to sponsor the student to the international championship on the grounds of no funds.
As reported by Guardian, Onyia said the student missed out on the contest because the Ministry failed to sponsor him.
“Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, just informed me that Agbo Adoga qualified to represent Nigeria in the International Maths Olympiad in China.
“Nigerian Ministry of Education said they don’t have money to sponsor anybody. So he will not attend. Nigeria lost again!” he tweeted via @winexviv on X.
But, reacting in the statement issued on Sunday, the ministry said there is no correspondence in its files from any recognised body seeking sponsorship for the pupil.
The statement urged anyone with verifiable information on the matter to present it formally to the ministry for appropriate action.
It stated, “The Federal Ministry of Education wishes to state clearly that it is not aware of the report circulating online regarding a supposed sponsorship request for a 15-year-old student said to have qualified to represent Nigeria at the International Mathematics Olympiad in China.
“The Ministry affirms that there is no record or correspondence in its files indicating any such request for sponsorship from any recognised body.
“Accordingly, any relevant or verifiable information regarding this matter should be formally presented to the Ministry for necessary action.”
The ministry urged the public to disregard unverified reports and ensure that all education-related matters are confirmed through the Ministry’s official communication channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to encouraging and supporting outstanding students through due process and transparent procedures,” the statement added.
The International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) is one of the world’s most prestigious math competitions for pre-university students, often described as the global championship of mathematics.
Since its inception in 1959, it has brought together brilliant young minds from more than 100 countries to solve challenging problems in algebra, geometry, and other advanced fields.
Nigeria joined the competition in 2006 and, since then, only 14 students have represented the country, earning a total of five bronze medals along the way.
