Nigeria’s education sector received a major boost after three of its young representatives won gold medals at the International STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy, reinforcing the country’s potential to produce world-class academic talents.
The historic feat was driven by 11-year-old Primary 6 pupil, Egejurum Onyedikachi , who emerged as the world’s best in the Primary Mathematics category.
The victories were announced on Tuesday at the grand finale of the International STEM Olympiad held at the Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, where students from more than 150 countries competed.
Education advocate and Educare CEO, Alex Onyia, announced the students’ victories in a series of posts on his X page on Tuesday.
“Onyedikachi got a Gold. He is the best in Mathematics in the world Primary Category. This is the beginning of greatness for the country. More good news,” Onyia wrote.
“Munachimso also won gold in Science. He is the best in world science. Remember, he is the best in IGCSE Chemistry in Nigeria. The investment is worth it. The wait is over,” Onyia wrote.
Onyia said the victories showed that investment in gifted children could produce world-class results.
Ahead of the announcement, participating countries displayed their national flags during the award ceremony as finalists awaited the results.
Earlier, Onyia had expressed confidence in Onyedikachi.
“Adrenaline is pumping. Onyedikachi Egejurum is ready for the award ceremony for the International STEM Olympiad Rome today. I pray he gets the gold. This boy is in Primary 6 and is 11 years old. He is a star.”
Speaking after receiving his medal, Onyedikachi reflected on his journey, saying: “It went well and ended happily. Although the beginning was rough, I’m very grateful that I brought home the gold medal.”
According to Onyia, 13-year-old JSS3 student Chimdiebube has won every academic competition he has entered.
He scored a perfect mark at the elimination stage of the 2026 Southeast Mathematics Olympiad before winning the grand finale.
He has also completed Engineering Mathematics by K.A. Stroud, a textbook widely studied by engineering undergraduates.
The 17-year-old Munachimso also entered the competition with an impressive academic record.
He had earlier emerged as Nigeria’s best student in IGCSE Chemistry before becoming the world’s best in Science.
The achievement also brought international recognition to Evergreen Schools, Enugu, and Diamond Special College, Owerri.
Behind the students’ success were their Mathematics teachers, Master Chisom Unachukwu of Evergreen Schools and Anthony Iwegbu of Diamond Special College.
The teachers trained and mentored the students before accompanying them to Rome for the global competition.
Their mentorship played a key role in preparing the students to compete successfully against some of the brightest young minds from more than 150 countries.
The three students qualified after emerging among the top performers at the 2026 Southeast Mathematics Olympiad organised by Onyia through Educare.
Onyia sponsored the students’ flights, visas, accommodation and other travel expenses.
He said preparations had already begun for the next edition, revealing that more than 30,000 children had registered for the 2027 Southeast Mathematics Olympiad.
He said the initiative would continue to identify exceptional students and teachers capable of representing Nigeria on the global stage.
The triumph comes weeks after concerns over Nigeria’s downgrade to observer status at the 2026 International Mathematical Olympiad because of funding constraints.
The success in Rome has renewed calls for greater investment in gifted education and STEM programmes nationwide.
Meanwhile, Onyia dismissed claims circulating online that a Yoruba student was dropped and replaced with an Igbo student for the competition.
He described the allegation as false and insisted the selection process was transparent and merit-based.
According to him, the finalists emerged from the 2026 Southeast Mathematics Olympiad, which was livestreamed from start to finish.
He said the competition was deliberately broadcast publicly to ensure transparency and public confidence.
“Our goal is simple: ensure that the right children win based on merit, not ethnicity, religion, connections or influence,” Onyia said.
“We are building a generation that believes hard work is rewarded. Merit is not negotiable.”
The victories have renewed optimism that, with sustained public and private investment, Nigeria can reclaim its place among the world’s leading nations in academic competitions.
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