The Federal Ministry of Education has denied claims that it refused to sponsor a 15-year-old Nigerian student who allegedly qualified to represent the country at the International Mathematics Olympiad in China.
The controversy began after the CEO of Educare, Alex Onyia, accused the ministry of neglecting the student, Agbo Adoga of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, due to a lack of funds. According to Onyia, the ministry’s refusal to provide sponsorship caused the teenager to miss the international competition.
Sharing his frustration on X, Onyia wrote, “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!”
Reacting to the allegation, the Ministry of Education issued a statement on Sunday through its Director of Press and Public Relations, Feo Folasade, insisting that no official sponsorship request was ever received.
“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 statement read.
It added, “The Ministry affirms that there is no record or correspondence in its files indicating any such request for sponsorship from any recognised body.”
The ministry urged anyone with verifiable details about the case to formally present them for investigation, stressing that all education-related claims should be verified through official communication channels.
Reaffirming its commitment to supporting young talents, the ministry stated that it would continue to encourage outstanding students through transparent and due processes.
