Four Nigerians lead STEM quiz project as 32 legacy high schools compete

Four industry personalities are leading a quiz initiative they say aims to give prestige to Nigeria’s secondary education.

Through the CHAMP High School Quiz, which premieres on July 5, these four plan to drive alumni investment and inspire students.

The CHSQ, they said, will be a national edutainment series aimed at rekindling the legacy of Nigeria’s pre-independence high schools.

The quiz campaign involves Gbenga Shobo, an alumnus of St. Gregory’s College, Lagos (1974–79), whose journey in Nigeria’s financial sector saw him ascend to become a deputy MD at FirstBank.

Also lending her voice is Oluwatoyin Sanni (Queen’s School, Ibadan, 1975–80), founder and executive vice-chair of Emerging Africa Group.

Sanni attributes her leadership in finance and advocacy to the strong foundation laid at Queen’s School, Ibadan, where well-equipped science laboratories provided early exposure to core sciences, influencing her analytical and logical decision-making.

Chike Iroegbunam, an architect, realtor, and founder of Orangeline Limited, is also on the project.

An alumnus of Igbobi College, Lagos (1976-81), Iroegbunam credits his time there for shaping his life.

After a decade at Integrated Consultants Architects, he founded PM + CDC Associates, overseeing significant development projects.

Completing the quartet is Jude Chiemeka, the current CEO of Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and an alumnus of St. Anthony’s College, Ubulu-Uku, Delta state (1981–86).

With over 30 years in securities trading, asset management, and investment banking, Chiemeka credits St. Anthony for instilling a sense of purpose.

In a joint statement on Thursday, these four argue that secondary schools fundamentally shape destinies and guide lifelong principles.

Out of 32 schools participating in CHSQ 2025, the top eight have qualified for the televised rounds.

For six consecutive weekends, from July 5 to August 10, CHSQ will feature 24 SS2 students from eight schools.

The schools include CMS Grammar School, Lagos; Igbobi College, Lagos; Queen’s School, Ibadan; St. Gregory’s College, Lagos; Oriwu Model College, Ikorodu; Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo; Baptist Academy, Lagos; and Wesley College, Ibadan.

They will compete in English, history, and mathematics for a grant to augment their winning school’s science and technology equipment, a gold trophy, and bragging rights as Nigeria’s pre-independence high school champion.

The opening game on Saturday, July 12, will see Queen’s School, Ibadan, face CMS Grammar School, Lagos.

This will be followed by the “clash of the Baptists” on July 13, at 6 pm, between Olivet Baptist Oyo and Baptist Academy, Lagos.

The grand finale is scheduled for August 10 at 6 pm.

CHAMP will air every Saturday and Sunday at 6 pm on DStv Africa Magic Channel 154, and will also be streamed globally via YouTube on The STEM Africa channel.

The project is produced by JustMedia Productions, under the umbrella of the STEM Africa Initiative, a pan-African platform out to reimagine education through STEM competition and innovation.