Three outstanding students from Nigeria’s South-East have earned places at the Grand Finale of the International STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy, after emerging champions in the Southeast STEM Mathematics Olympiad. According to Pulse Nigeria and Punch, the trio outperformed more than 11,500 contestants from across the region to secure the opportunity to represent Nigeria in the global competition, where participants from over 150 countries will compete in mathematics and science.
The Nigerian representatives are Onwubiko Chimduebube Victor (13) of Evergreen College, Enugu, Egejurum Onyedikachi Ethan (11) of Diamond Special School, Owerri, and Don Anele Munachimso Marvellous (17) of Diamond Special College, Owerri. Victor won the junior category and previously emerged as Nigeria’s national mathematics champion, Ethan claimed the primary category with exceptional performances beyond his age, while Marvellous, the senior category winner, has also been recognised as one of Nigeria’s top-performing chemistry and mathematics students, earning international academic honours and scholarships.
The Southeast STEM Mathematics Olympiad was organised by education advocate and Educare Chief Executive Officer Alex Onyia as part of efforts to revive interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics across the region. Onyia also sponsored the students’ participation in Rome, covering travel, accommodation, visas, and other logistics to ensure they could compete on the global stage. The finalists are participating at the Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, where they are testing their abilities against some of the world’s brightest young STEM talents.
The achievement highlights the growing depth of STEM talent emerging from Nigeria despite persistent funding challenges facing academic competitions. Education analysts say the students’ success demonstrates the impact of targeted investment in gifted education and reinforces Nigeria’s potential to compete globally in science and innovation when young talents receive the necessary support and exposure.
