Three Nigerian students win gold at International STEM Olympiad
Three Nigerian students won gold medals at the 2026 International STEM Olympiad in Rome, outperforming competitors from over 150 countries.
Three Nigerian students brought home four gold medals at the 2026 International STEM Olympiad held at the Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma in Italy between 2 and 8 July. They competed against over 11,500 contestants from more than 150 countries.
The standout scholars included Munachimso Marvellous Don-Anele, 17, who won two gold medals, securing world titles in both Science and Mathematics for the Senior Division. Onyedikachi Ethan Egejurum, 11, won gold and emerged as the World’s Best in Mathematics for the Primary Category. Chimdiebube Victor Onwubiko, 13, also won gold in Mathematics for the Junior Division.
The students were sponsored by tech CEO Alex Onyia, who has supported young Nigerian talents in international competitions. In addition to the three sponsored students, students from Gonzaga Jesuit College in Okija, Anambra State, also made the country proud by securing eight gold medals at the same competition.
These achievements are part of a broader trend of Nigerian students excelling in global academic competitions. Chimfumnanya Aghaduno made history as the first Nigerian female to win a silver medal at the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad, while Faith Odunsi, at just 15, won the Global Open Mathematics Competition with 40 points against a second-place score of 10.
The winners: the three gold medalists, who have made Nigeria proud; their families and schools; and tech CEO Alex Onyia, who sponsored their participation. The losers: the Nigerian government, which has not provided the same level of support for academic excellence as it does for sports.
Bottom Line: Three Nigerian students are world champions in STEM. Their talent is undeniable. The question is whether Nigeria will invest in the education system that produced them.