The Glo Innov8 National STEM Competition for girls in senior secondary schools across Nigeria is nearing its grand finale, as three schools have emerged as top contenders. The final stage will take place at the Mike Adenuga Centre (Alliance Française), Ikoyi, Lagos.

After a rigorous selection process, Ephraim High School, Isolo Campus, Lagos; Regina Pacis International School, Onitsha, Anambra State; and Peakfield Academy, Jos, Plateau State advanced to the final round.

These schools were selected from over 200 entries submitted nationwide. Out of the 20 shortlisted schools, ten made it to the semi-final stage before the current finalists emerged.

Nationwide Participation and CSR Commitment

Following the call for entries by Glo Foundation, Globacom’s corporate social responsibility arm, hundreds of girls from secondary schools across Nigeria eagerly participated. Entries poured in from diverse states including Plateau, Kano, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Borno, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Ondo, Oyo, Anambra, FCT, Delta, Kaduna, and Adamawa.

The initiative, launched as part of activities marking this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, aims to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education among young girls.

Designed as a STEM-driven challenge, the competition seeks to reward creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills while empowering the next generation of female innovators.

Prizes Worth ₦5 Million Await Winners

In recognition of the students’ ingenuity, Glo Foundation revealed that the competition will award prizes worth ₦5 million. The overall winning school will receive ₦2,000,000, while the two student representatives will each go home with a laptop.

Additionally, the mentor or teacher will receive ₦200,000. Schools that finish in second and third place will also receive consolation prizes for both their students and mentors.

According to Glo Foundation, the competition “is geared at inspiring young girls to Compete, Innovate, and Win, while strengthening their confidence and expanding their knowledge in STEM subjects.”

Judges Commend Creativity and Innovation

The virtual phase of the competition, which featured the top 20 schools, impressed the panel of three female judges who praised the quality and diversity of the presentations.

One of the judges, Tosin Olabode, expressed her admiration, saying, “I was particularly impressed by the prototype presentations from some schools. They demonstrated that they had done their homework.”

Another judge, Amina Gabriel, highlighted the creativity of the students, noting, “The schools presented innovative solutions tackling issues in agriculture, security, waste management, and firefighting.

The top 10 schools showcased outstanding prototypes, from apps to robots, making the judging process truly competitive. I’m grateful to Glo Foundation for the opportunity to serve and support young girls in STEM.”

Similarly, Sharon Ibejih, the third judge, applauded the competition for nurturing future STEM leaders. “This competition has showcased a highly competitive next generation of women leaders in STEM. It was an excellent exercise that encourages more students to develop problem-solving and innovative thinking skills,” she remarked.

With the grand finale fast approaching, all eyes are now on the three finalists as they prepare to showcase their creativity and brilliance at the Mike Adenuga Centre, marking another milestone in Globacom’s commitment to youth empowerment and STEM advancement in Nigeria.