Nigerian trio takes top honors at global science and tech competition held in Rome

Nigeria has achieved a significant milestone on the global academic stage, with three of its students claiming gold medals at the Grand Finale of the International STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy.

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The announcement of this impressive feat was made by Educare CEO and education advocate Alex Onyia, who had sponsored the students' participation in the competition after they emerged as top performers at the Southeast Mathematics Olympiad.

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Onyia initially shared the news on X, stating that Chimdiebube Onwubiko and Don Anele Munachimso had won two gold medals, and later confirmed that Egejurum Onyedikachi had also received a gold medal, while Don Anele secured a second gold medal in Science.

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Onyia expressed his excitement about the students' achievements, noting that Don Anele's win in Science was a testament to his exceptional abilities, having already been recognized as the best in IGCSE Chemistry in Nigeria.

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Egejurum Onyedikachi's gold medal in Mathematics was also celebrated, with Onyia describing him as the best in the world in the Primary Category, marking the beginning of greatness for the country.

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The International STEM Olympiad, held at the Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, drew participants from over 150 countries competing in Mathematics and Science events, with the Nigerian students receiving their medals at an award ceremony.

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The three students, 11-year-old Egejurum Onyedikachi, 13-year-old Onwubiko Chimdiebube, and 17-year-old Don Anele Munachimso, had qualified to represent Nigeria after emerging as top contestants at the Southeast Mathematics Olympiad, which attracted over 11,500 participants.

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Onyia's sponsorship of the students' participation in the International STEM Olympiad covered their registration, visas, flights, accommodation, and other travel expenses, enabling them to compete in Rome.

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The students, accompanied by their teachers, represented Nigeria in the primary, junior, and senior categories at the global competition, with Onyia expressing confidence in their abilities before the event.

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Onyia had praised Don Anele, who competed in the senior category, as one of Nigeria's finest science talents, and had also expressed confidence in 11-year-old Egejurum's abilities in the primary Mathematics category.

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Egejurum's decision to participate in the Science category without prior preparation was seen as a notable move, with Onyia expressing his support for the young prodigy to win double gold.

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The students' participation in the International STEM Olympiad came amid concerns over Nigeria's dwindling presence at major international academic competitions, including the 2026 International Mathematical Olympiad in Shanghai, China.

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Nigeria's participation in the Rome competition was made possible by Onyia's private initiative, which was seen as an example of how such efforts can help gifted Nigerian students continue to compete on the global stage.

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The latest results have secured four gold medals for Nigeria at the International STEM Olympiad, with Don Anele Munachimso winning two gold medals, including the world title in Science, and Egejurum Onyedikachi and Chimdiebube Onwubiko also claiming gold medals.