FG denies rejecting Math genius request for international Olympiad in China

The Federal Ministry of Education has refuted claims that it declined to sponsor a 15-year-old Nigerian student who reportedly qualified to represent the country at the International Mathematics Olympiad in China

The ministry’s clarification followed allegations made by Alex Onyia, Chief Executive Officer of Educare, who accused the ministry of neglecting the student due to lack of funds.

Onyia stated that the student, identified as Agbo Adoga of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, missed the competition after the ministry allegedly refused to provide sponsorship.

Onyia had written on X, “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!”

However, in a press release signed by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Feo Folasade, the ministry denied ever receiving any formal request for sponsorship.

“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,” the statement read.

It further encouraged anyone with credible information about the case to submit it officially for proper investigation, emphasizing that unverified reports should be disregarded.

The statement concluded that the ministry remains committed to promoting and supporting exceptional students through transparent and official procedures.

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