Ministry denies receiving sponsorship request for 15-year-old Maths prodigy

As the two-week warning strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) enters its seventh day, the union has confirmed negotiations with the Federal Government’s Renegotiation Team, led by Yayale Ahmed.  
According to ASUU, progress is being recorded in five of seven demands.  In another development, the Federal Ministry of Education denied knowledge of any sponsorship request for 15-year-old Agbo Adoga, a student of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, who reportedly qualified to represent Nigeria at the International Mathematics Olympiad in China.
 
In a bulletin dated October 19, 2025, seen by The Guardian, ASUU President, Prof Christopher Piwuna, listed the areas of progress to include the release of third-party deductions, arrears of promotions, mainstreaming of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), confiscation of University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) land, as well as victimisation of members in Prince Abubakar Audu University, Lagos State University (LASU) and Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO). 
 
Entitled ‘Strike Bulletin NO. 2’, the correspondence acknowledged that some notable Nigerians had also been involved in finding lasting solutions to the impasse.
 
Piwuna insisted that ASUU members had been resolute in the implementation of the National Executive Council (NEC)’s resolution of September 28, 2025, in respect of the warning strike.
 
“Engagements are continuing on all elements of the draft renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement, guided by the principles of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). We commend the resilience and courage of our members in various branches, but we should remain united and steadfast in the days ahead.  

“The branch chairperson remains the only reliable source of information at all times; so attend your branch Congress meetings promptly,” Piwuna said. 

THE development in the ministry followed accusations by the Chief Executive Officer of Educare, Alex Onyia, who lamented that the ministry refused to sponsor the student to the international championship on the grounds of not having money. 

Reacting via X, Onyia (@winexviv) had raised the alarm that the student missed out of the contest because the ministry failed to sponsor him. 
 “Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, just informed me that Adoga qualified to represent Nigeria in the International Maths Olympiad in China. But the Ministry of Education officials said they don’t have money to sponsor anybody. So he will not attend. Nigeria lost again!” he tweeted. 
 
The Guardian reports that the news has drawn outrage online with netizens criticising the ministry for what many described as negligence and lack of support for young talents representing the country. 
 
But in swift reaction, the ministry insisted that it had no official correspondence in its files seeking sponsorship.  A statement, yesterday, by its spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, reads: “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 public is, therefore, advised 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.” In an earlier telephone chat with The Guardian, Boriowo had challenged those promoting the report to produce evidence of the request.