OAU wins 2026 university duel competition, participants receive N4m, scholarships

The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State has emerged the winner of the second edition of the 2026 University Duel Competition, with participants receiving N4 million and scholarships.

It is a contest designed to showcase Nigeria’s emerging talents in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The competition featured 62 universities and 186 students who were tested in Applied Mathematics, Data Analysis, General Knowledge, and Verbal Reasoning, highlighting the technical capabilities shaping Nigeria’s digital future.

The event lasted 11 weeks.

Speaking during the award presentation at the OAU campus, the founder of STEM Africa Initiative, Oladapo Ojo, urged Africa, particularly Nigeria, to move beyond merely consuming technology and begin developing its own to drive meaningful progress.

Ojo stressed that true development requires a shift from consumption to creation.

“If Africa and Nigeria are to move forward, we must go beyond consuming technology to developing our own,” he said.

He added that the competition serves as a catalyst for this transformation by helping students recognise the practical value of STEM education.

He said: “MTN Nigeria identified with this initiative and supported it as a proud sponsor.

“The goal is to drive change across Africa by enabling young people to see the benefits of STEM and its transformative potential in their lives.”

Also speaking, the Dean of Student Affairs at OAU, Prof. John Odedire, commended MTN Nigeria for sponsoring the competition, describing the event as a historic achievement for the university.

Odedire noted that although OAU placed third in the inaugural edition in 2025, the institution returned in 2026 to claim first position.

He said: “What we are celebrating today is a double victory. 

“This is the first time an institution has won both the University Duel and the Smart Challenge competitions in one sweep.”

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One of the award recipients, Quayum Alli, praised the MTN-backed initiative for providing a prestigious platform that recognises academic excellence and nurtures future innovators.

Alli noted that while more students should have access to such opportunities, the initiative reflects MTN’s strong commitment to advancing STEM education in Nigeria.

“It is encouraging to see a company like MTN genuinely invest in students, not only by providing digital skills for the future, but also by helping bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application,” he said.

Another recipient, Adesina Lekan, also commended MTN Nigeria’s sponsorship, adding that increased publicity would attract broader participation in future editions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MTN awarded N3 million to the University Duel winners and N1 million to the Smart Challenge champions alongside scholarships.

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