OAU Trio Receive Scholarship as STEM Africa Celebrates Competitions Wins

 

          Samuel Faseyitan 

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, today rewards three of its students, Imran Ogungbayi, Quayum Ali, and Lekan Adesina, with scholarships following their outstanding performances in the 2026 University Duel and STEM Africa SMART Challenge competitions.

The trio were honoured during an event organised by STEM Africa, in partnership with MTN Nigeria, at Oduduwa Hall, where members of the university management, representatives of STEM Africa and MTN Nigeria, and students gathered to celebrate their achievements.

The recognition followed the students’ remarkable outing in the two STEM-based competitions. In March 2026, the team won the Smart University Duel after securing victory for OAU against the Federal University of Technology, Akure. The University Duel is an annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics competition that brings together undergraduates from top higher institutions to test their knowledge in critical thinking, problem-solving, analytics, sustainable environment, general knowledge, and innovation.

The students also secured another victory for the university in May 2026 at the STEM Africa SMART Challenge, where they competed with students from other universities across the country to develop technology-driven solutions to societal and governmental challenges.

At the event, the founder of STEM Africa, Oludapo Ojo, presented awards and cash prizes to the students. He commended their performance, noting that they emerged as the best out of 1,568 students from 62 universities that participated in the competition.

For winning the Duel competition, the trio received certificates of participation and a cash prize of three million naira. In addition, one million naira from the Smart Challenge win was presented to their faculty for innovative development, while Quayum Ali was recognised as the overall best performer in the competition.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, also received a plaque, a memorabilia jersey won by the students during the competition, and a golden trophy on behalf of the university.

In his welcome address, the Dean of Student Affairs, Professor John Odedire, appreciated guests and students who attended the event to celebrate what he described as a great achievement for the university. He said the victory reflected the doggedness and resilient spirit of Great Ife, especially after the institution finished as second runner-up in the previous edition.

According to him, the team’s determination eventually earned OAU victory, making the university the first institution to win both the University Duel and the Smart Challenge competition in the same year. He encouraged students to emulate the champions, adding that the seed of success and greatness is in everyone.

Speaking at the event, Professor Bamire appreciated the STEM Africa team, principal officers of the university, and the awardees. He noted that OAU is not only known for its motto, “learning and culture,” but also for excellence and remarkable achievements, including winning medals.

On behalf of the university management, the Vice Chancellor awarded scholarships to the three students in recognition of their excellent performance in the two competitions. He also presented a token to them as a further appreciation of their achievement.

The consultant of STEM Africa and alumna of the university, Dr. Ore Sofekun, explained that the University Duel tested participants in STEM-related areas such as digital analytics, verbal reasoning, mathematics, and general knowledge, while the Smart Challenge assessed their ability to apply STEM knowledge to solving real problems in society.

She said the students’ success in both categories showed that they did not only understand science but could also apply it creatively. According to her, the trio developed two different ideas within six months, showing how technology could be used to solve societal issues.

Dr. Sofekun also called on students to participate in the 2027 edition of the competition, noting that the current winners would not be eligible to participate again because winners are not allowed to contest in subsequent editions. She added that registration for the 2027 season is ongoing and encouraged students to apply.

A representative of MTN Nigeria, Dolapo Adegoke, also praised the students for representing the university with pride and demonstrating the excellence OAU is known for. She noted that winning should not be seen as the end of the journey but the beginning of greater responsibility.

According to her, the true mark of champions is not just the trophy they lift at the end of a contest but what they do afterwards. She urged the trio to sustain their drive, adding that Nigeria needs them not only as students but as future STEM experts who can contribute meaningfully to national development.

She further stated that MTN Nigeria remains committed to supporting initiatives that invest in young people, especially as the future of the telecommunication industry depends on them.

Speaking with the ICONS Organization, Quayum Ali expressed delight over the achievement, describing it as a product of the support they received from the university management and everyone who cheered them to victory.

He advised students to take advantage of the initiative, saying the competition provides an opportunity to connect with brilliant minds beyond the four walls of the university. He also urged the management to engage students more in order to increase their interest in the competition.

Also speaking, Lekan Adesina appreciated the school management and students for their support and encouragement. He urged students, especially female students, to show more interest and participate in the competition.