Following his outstanding performance, Abraham received a university education scholarship valued at N7.5 million, spread over a period of 5 years, inclusive of a monthly stipend plus a brand-new laptop, and the prestigious recognition as the best STEM student in Nigeria.

Securing the second and third place positions were Emmanuel Omoegbeleghan from The Crescent International School, Ogun State, and Emmanuel Angelo-Hyuwa from The Ambassadors College, Ogun State, who won N4 million and N1 million scholarships, respectively.

Out of almost 17,000 initial applications from secondary school students nationwide, these top three winners rose to the top owing to their speed, perseverance, accuracy and knowledge – attributes that the highly competitive competition has come to be known for.

InterswitchSPAK, a CSR initiative of Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, was designed to recognize and reward exceptional efforts of brilliant young minds striving for excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Now in its fifth year in Nigeria, the initiative has directly reached over 80,000 students in both Nigeria and Kenya, boosting interest in STEM subjects and rewarding excellence in the field of study.

Speaking on the significance of the competition, Vincent Ogbunude, Managing Director, Interswitch Cards and Tokens (Verve) said,

“The InterswitchSPAK initiative reaffirms our unwavering dedication to promoting STEM education and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence among young Nigerians.  We believe in the transformative power of education, and, through this competition, we illuminate the path for the next generation to innovate, create, and lead in the world of science and technology.”

To celebrate the fifth edition of the InterswitchSPAK competition, Interswitch also expanded the prize pool, with the 4th to 24th place winners receiving cash prizes of up to N250,000.

The success of this commemorative edition of the competition reinforces Interswitch’s position as a leading advocate for educational advancement and underscores the company’s relentless efforts in shaping the future of STEM in Africa.

As the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition continues to make a profound impact on STEM education in Nigeria and across Africa, Interswitch looks forward to sustaining the momentum and further contributing to the development of STEM talent across the continent.

As a key Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Interswitch Group, the InterswitchSPAK competition aims to inspire interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects among senior secondary school students.

This milestone edition commemorates the fifth anniversary of the competition, symbolizing Interswitch Group’s steadfast commitment to advancing STEM education across Africa.

From a pool of 81 outstanding students from various secondary schools across Nigeria who have competed head-to-head to showcase their speed, perseverance, accuracy, knowledge and problem-solving skills in STEM subjects, the participants have whittled down to the top nine finalists.

The nine finalists include:

1. Best Isijola, from Oritamefa Baptist Model School, Oyo State;
2. Ayobami Ibigbami, from St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos State;
3. Emmanuel Omoegbelaghan from The Cresent International School, Ogun State;
4. Emmanuel Angelo-Hyuwa, from The Ambassadors College, Ogun State and
5. Akinola Mofifoluwa, from The Ambassadors College, Ogun State.
6. Jesse Obed, from Graceland International School, Rivers State;
7. Abraham Daramola, from Hallmark Secondary School, Ondo State;
8. Otana Agunbiade, from OAU International School, Ile-ife, Osun State, and
9. Raphael Ogwanighie, from St. Finbarr’s College, Lagos State.

These finalists have exhibited exceptional brilliance across various STEM subjects throughout the highly competitive phases of the show, and they will be vying for the coveted prizes in what promises to be an intense and gratifying grand finale.

The first-place winner will be rewarded with a university education scholarship, valued at N7.5 million that spans five years, inclusive of a monthly stipend, a brand-new laptop, and the bragging rights as the best STEM student in Nigeria.

The second-place winner will receive a N4 million university education scholarship spread over three years, including a monthly stipend, and a brand-new laptop.

The third-place winner will be rewarded with a N1 million scholarship spanning an entire year of university education.

Culminating in USD6 million worth of prizes over the last 5 years between Nigeria and Kenya, the prizes stand as a testament to Interswitch Group’s dedication to recognizing and rewarding excellence in STEM education.

Speaking on the milestone edition of the InterswitchSPAK competition in Nigeria, Mitchell Elegbe, Founder and Group Managing Director, Interswitch Group, expressed the company’s delight in witnessing the exceptional performance and dedication of the participating students.

He said:

“The InterswitchSPAK initiative is not just a competition but a transformative journey that empowers young minds to envision, pursue and secure a future in STEM, ultimately contributing to innovative initiatives and development in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.”

In the same vein, Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President and Group Marketing and Communication Officer, Interswitch Group, emphasized Interswitch’s pride in witnessing the commendable talent and grit exhibited by the top nine finalists.

She highlighted that this stands as a testament to the promising future that STEM education holds for the youth of Africa.

“InterswitchSPAK reaffirms our dedication to nurturing and empowering the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers and it is aimed at bridging the gap in STEM education in Nigeria and across Africa at large” she remarked.

She further said that the grand finale promises to be a celebration of academic excellence as these young STEM champions compete for the ultimate recognition and life-changing rewards.

In anticipation of the grand finale, the show continues to air on DSTV Africa Magic Family Channel 154 every Sunday at 6:00 pm with a repeat broadcast on Wednesdays at 3:30 pm on the same channel. Alternatively, you can watch the broadcast on AIT Network every Sunday at 7:30 p.m.