CU wins 2025 STEMAfrica quiz prize as Bells University gets project funding

Covenant University (CU) and Bells University of Technology topped the 2025 STEMAfrica University Duel.

The competition, which comprises two components, included the “smart challenge” and the “quiz competition”.

Just Media, a Lagos-based content production firm, organised the STEMAfrica competition.

Oladapo Ojo, the founder of TheSTEMAfrica, said it aims to attract young people’s attention to science and technology.

The award presentation for the competition’s 2025 run was held in Lagos on Tuesday.

Three students from Bells University won the competition’s smart challenge prize, taking home N2 million in funding for their innovative project.

They include David Iregbeyanose, Kafayat Lawal, and Shalom Oso.

Gift Chukwuma, Alero Afinotan, and Toluwani Kayode of Covenant University won the competition’s N4.5 million quiz prize.

At the presentation, Ojo said STEMAfrica aims to recognise excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics across universities in Nigeria.

“We started a project called STEM Africa a couple of years ago. This was borne out of the fact that we found out that a lot of young people are not getting their priorities right,” he said.

“Everybody believes in a quick fix. Everybody believes that with music, dancing, and fashion, you can make anything available. Whether we like it or not, we do need STEM.”

Timothy Anake, the vice-chancellor of CU, congratulated the awardees, describing the competition as a joint venture that must be encouraged in Nigeria.

“We are living in times when it almost seems that the rigour of learning is not appreciated. People would rather go for those things that can give easy money and not want to do the real thing,” the VC added.

“It’s only learning that changes people, especially when it is STEM.

“Nations have been known to be transformed by the outcomes of STEM learning. And Nigeria cannot be an exception.

“It is the things you can do with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that actually resolve industrial revolution. Nigeria is in dire need of technological innovation.”

Jeremiah Ojediran, the VC of Bells varsity, lauded the students for their endurance during the competition’s tasks.

“Our students demonstrate not only academic excellence, but also resilience, teamwork, and critical thinking,” he said.

Present at the event were the management and staff members of the two schools.