Meet three Nigerian students who won gold in international STEM Olympiad competition

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Nigeria recorded a major success at the Grand Finale of the International STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy, as three students won a combined four gold medals in Mathematics and Science.

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The feat was announced on Tuesday by education advocate and Educare CEO Alex Onyia, who sponsored the students’ trip to Italy after they excelled at the Southeast Mathematics Olympiad.

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Onyia first shared news of the team’s success on X, celebrating victories by Chimdiebube Onwubiko and Don Anele Munachimso.

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“The wait is over. We have two golds: Chimdiebube Onwubiko and Don Anele Munachimso. We are the best in the world! ”

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He later revealed that Munachimso had added another gold medal to his tally after emerging as the world’s best in Science.

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“More good news. Don Anele 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,” Onyia wrote.

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The education advocate subsequently confirmed another triumph for Team Nigeria, announcing that Onyedikachi Egejurum had claimed gold in the Primary Mathematics category.

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“Onyedikachi Egejurum got a Gold. He is the best in Mathematics in the world Primary Category. This is the beginning of greatness for the country.”

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Hosted at the Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, the International STEM Olympiad featured competitors from more than 150 countries in Mathematics and Science contests.

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The Nigerian contingent comprised 11-year-old Onyedikachi Egejurum, 13-year-old Chimdiebube Onwubiko and 17-year-old Don Anele Munachimso. The trio earned their places after emerging among the highest-performing contestants at the Southeast Mathematics Olympiad, a regional competition organised by Onyia that attracted over 11,500 participants.

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Before the competition began, Onyia expressed confidence in the students’ ability to excel on the world stage.

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Describing Munachimso, who represented Nigeria in the senior category, Onyia highlighted both his academic record and character.

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“He is currently the best in Chemistry for IGCSE in Nigeria. His head is filled with maths and science. He is such a gentle and well-behaved boy. He is a star,” he wrote before the competition.

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He also singled out Egejurum, predicting that the 11-year-old could achieve an exceptional result in the Primary Mathematics event.

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During the Olympiad, Onyia disclosed that the youngster had chosen to enter the Science category as well, despite having made no preparations for it.

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“Our star boy, Egejurum Onyedikachi, decided to participate again today in the International STEM Olympiad finale, science category, unprepared… We are rooting for him to win double gold,” he wrote.

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The students’ success comes at a time when concerns have been raised about Nigeria’s participation in major international academic competitions.

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