Three Nigerian students are representing Nigeria at the Grand Finale of the International STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy, after outstanding performances at the Southeast Mathematics Olympiad.
The students, Egejurum Onyedikachi Ethan, 11, Onwubiko Chimduebube Victor, 13, and Don Anele Munachimso Marvellous, 17, qualified for the international competition after emerging as top performers in the Southeast Mathematics Olympiad organised by education advocate and Educare CEO, Alex Onyia.
The competition attracted more than 11,500 contestants.
The three students, accompanied by their teachers, are competing in Mathematics and Science events at the Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma alongside participants from more than 150 countries.
Onyia, who sponsored their flights, visas, accommodation and other travel expenses, announced on Saturday that the team had arrived at the competition venue.
Ahead of the competition, Onyia described Don Anele Munachimso Marvelous, who is representing Nigeria in the senior category, as one of the country's brightest science students.
"Don Anele Munachimso Marvelous is now ready for tomorrow’s competition. He has refused to smile since morning. He will be representing us in the Senior Category at the International STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy.
"He is currently the best in Chemistry for IGCSE in Nigeria. His head is filled with maths and science. He is such a gentle and well-behaved boy. He is a star," Onyia wrote.
He also expressed confidence in the performance of 11-year-old Egejurum Onyedikachi Ethan, who is competing in the primary mathematics category.
"Egejurum Munachimso is ready for tomorrow’s Math competition at the International STEM Olympiad Grand Finale, Rome. He will be representing us in the Primary category. He is very confident that he might get a perfect score," Onyia wrote.
The students' participation comes weeks after concerns were raised over Nigeria's status at the 2026 International Mathematical Olympiad in Shanghai, China.
Education advocates said Nigeria was downgraded to observer status after failing to participate competitively for several years because of funding challenges, leaving the country unable to field a full team for one of the world's leading mathematics competitions.
Onyia described the development as a setback for gifted Nigerian students and urged the authorities to address the country's challenges in participation.
According to BusinessDay, the Federal Ministry of Education said it was unaware of the specific funding concerns surrounding the International Mathematical Olympiad.
The sponsorship of the Rome-bound students has been cited as an example of how private initiatives can support talented Nigerian students in gaining international exposure despite institutional funding challenges.
Results of the International STEM Olympiad are expected in the coming days.
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