Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, have actually claimed triumph in two nationwide scholastic competitors focused on science and innovation, earning prize money and scholarships worth N4 million.
The students emerged champs of the 2026 University Duel and Smart Obstacle contests, both supported by MTN Nigeria. Winners of the University Duel got N3 million, while the team that triumphed in the Smart Difficulty was granted N1 million.
The competitions, arranged by the STEM Africa Effort, drew in participants from tertiary organizations throughout the nation and were targeted at motivating development, critical thinking and quality in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Founder of the initiative, Oladapo Ojo, said the contests featured trainees from dozens of universities nationwide and assessed individuals in locations including Applied Mathematics, Data Analysis, Verbal Thinking and General Understanding.
According to him, the competitors were designed to examine not just academic performance but also the practical proficiencies required in a significantly technology-driven world.
He noted that 186 students drawn from 62 universities participated in the contests, which sought to link classroom knowing with the skills required for the digital economy.
Ojo stated the effort lines up with more comprehensive efforts to develop a new generation of innovators and problem-solvers capable of adding to Nigeria’s technological advancement and financial development.
He included that OAU’s achievement in winning both competitions marked a significant milestone in the history of the programme and highlighted the institution’s strong academic culture.
Speaking during the presentation of rewards at the university, the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. John Odedire, described the achievement as an extraordinary achievement for the institution.
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He noted that OAU had actually improved substantially from its performance in the previous edition of the competitors, where it completed amongst the leading contenders, before going on to control both classifications this year.
According to him, the double victory shows the dedication of the students, speakers and university management to cultivating scholastic quality, development and competitive knowing.
Organisers of the competitors stated the initiative stays dedicated to finding and rewarding gifted students while promoting STEM education as a catalyst for national development.
They added that the programme continues to provide chances for young Nigerians to showcase their abilities and develop solutions efficient in attending to real-world obstacles.