The Faculty of Science at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has announced the finalists of its 2026 Science Quiz Competition for Senior Secondary School 2 students. The first and second rounds were held virtually, while the final round took place physically on June 10, 2026, at the OAU campus. The competition brought together bright young minds from across Nigeria.
Who emerged as the winner?
Olabanji Oluwadamilola David from Unique Minds International College, Opa, Ile-Ife, Osun State, clinched 1st place. Abiola Israel Oluwaferanmi – also from Unique Minds International College – took 2nd place. Ajibike Ahmad Olanrewaju from Ansarudeen Society Comprehensive College, Saki, Oyo State, secured 3rd place.
Where did the final round take place?
The physical final round was held at the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. The competition brought students from different states – including Osun, Oyo, Kano, and Edo – to compete on a single platform.
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What was the format of the competition?
The first and second rounds were conducted virtually. Only the final round was physical. This hybrid format allowed wider participation while maintaining academic rigour.
When did the competition happen?
The final round took place on June 10, 2026. The results were published on June 11, 2026.
Why is this competition important?
Because it identifies and celebrates excellence in science education at the secondary school level. It encourages students to pursue science careers. It also serves as a recruitment pipeline for OAU – some of these finalists may become OAU undergraduates in the future.
How were the finalists selected?
Students qualified through virtual preliminary rounds before reaching the physical final. The competition was open to Senior Secondary School 2 students – the cohort preparing for their final exams.
5 key takeaways from the 2026 OAU Science Quiz finals.
1. Two students from Unique Minds International College swept the top two positions. Olabanji Oluwadamilola David (1st) and Abiola Israel Oluwaferanmi (2nd) both represent Unique Minds International College, Opa, Ile-Ife. That is a dominant performance. The school’s science programme deserves recognition.
2. The competition drew students from multiple states – Osun, Oyo, Kano, and Edo. The finalists came from Osun State (multiple schools), Oyo State (Saki), Kano State (Governor’s College), and Edo State (Auchi). This was not a local competition. It was genuinely national.
3. Governor’s College, Kano – a federal unity school – produced one finalist. Ibrahim Yusuf Bako from Governor’s College, Kano, placed 5th. That shows that federal unity schools are still producing competitive students.
4. The hybrid format (virtual preliminaries, physical finals) is a model for Nigerian competitions. Virtual rounds reduce travel costs and allow broader participation. The physical final ensures academic integrity. Other competitions should copy this format.
5. Female representation is present – but limited. Among the top 10, female finalists include Oluwawumi Toluwani Deborah (6th), Odewusi Glory Aseyori (7th), and Odebunmi Opeyemi Shullamite (10th). Three out of ten. More encouragement is needed for girls in science.
How this affects secondary science education in Nigeria.
i. It showcases schools that invest in science education. Unique Minds International College produced two top finalists. Ansarudeen Society Comprehensive College (Saki) produced a 3rd-place finisher. Onward Pearl Model College produced two finalists (6th and 7th). These schools are doing something right.
ii. It provides a pathway for talented students to consider OAU for university education. Students who perform well in OAU competitions often consider OAU for their undergraduate studies. This is a smart recruitment strategy for the university.
iii. It sets a benchmark for other universities to organise similar competitions. UI, UNN, UNILAG, and other universities should sponsor science quizzes. Healthy competition raises the standard of science education nationwide.
iv. The virtual rounds show that technology can expand access. Students who could not afford travel to OAU could still participate online. This reduces inequality. More competitions should adopt hybrid formats.
v. The competition highlights the need for investment in science labs and teachers. Winning schools likely have functional labs and motivated teachers. Schools that performed poorly may lack these resources. The government should study what works – and replicate it.
Advice from this analyst.
1. To the 1st place winner, Olabanji Oluwadamilola David: you have proven your excellence. Now build on it. Stay curious. Keep studying. This is the beginning, not the end.
2. To Unique Minds International College: your students won 1st and 2nd place. That is not luck. It is a system. Document your methods. Share them. Help other schools improve.
3. To OAU Faculty of Science: expand the competition next year. Include more states. Offer scholarships to top winners. Use the competition to attract the best science students to OAU.
4. To the Federal Ministry of Education: study the results. Which schools consistently produce top science students? What are they doing differently? Use the answers to improve science education nationwide.
5. To parents and teachers: encourage girls to participate. Only three of the top 10 finalists were female. Nigerian science needs more women. Start early. Break the stereotypes.
A question to make you reflect.
If students from small private schools in Ile-Ife and Saki can outperform the rest of Nigeria in a science quiz, what does that say about the state of science education in larger, better-funded schools in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt?
The answer is uncomfortable. Money does not guarantee excellence. Large schools with expensive facilities do not automatically produce top students. The winning schools – Unique Minds International College, Ansarudeen Society Comprehensive College – may not be the wealthiest. But they have something that works: motivated teachers, a culture of academic rigour, and students who are willing to work. Other schools should study their methods – not envy their results.
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Akahi News gathered that 10 secondary school students have been crowned finalists in the 2026 OAU Faculty of Science Quiz Competition. Olabanji Oluwadamilola David took 1st place. Abiola Israel Oluwaferanmi took 2nd. Ajibike Ahmad Olanrewaju took 3rd. Students from Osun, Oyo, Kano, and Edo competed. The final round was physical; the preliminaries were virtual. A hybrid model for the future. The winners will return to their schools as champions. Some may return to OAU as undergraduates. The competition is over. The impact has just begun.