Students from Imo State and Enugu State recorded outstanding performances at the grand finale of the South East Mathematics Olympiad, a regional academic competition that attracted more than 11,500 participants from across the South-East region of Nigeria.

The competition brought together finalists from Anambra State, Abia State, Ebonyi State, Enugu, and Imo states. Contestants competed across three categories — primary, junior, and senior — showcasing exceptional mathematical skills and analytical thinking.

Primary Category Winner Emerges from Owerri

In the primary category, Egejurum Onyedikachi of Diamond Special College Owerri emerged the overall winner after scoring 13 points out of a possible 15 in the final round.

He narrowly edged out Onah Tobit, who represented Anambra State and finished just one point behind. Students from Enugu State also shared the second-place position in what organisers described as a highly competitive category.

Evergreen Schools Enugu Dominates Junior Category

The junior category was dominated by Onwubiko Chimdiebube of Evergreen Schools Enugu, who achieved a perfect score in the final round.

Chimdiebube received a ₦3 million cash prize, while his teacher, Chisom Unachukwu, was rewarded with ₦1 million for guiding the student to victory. Evergreen Schools recorded a remarkable feat by producing the first, second, and third place winners in the junior category.

Senior Category Champion Wins ₦5 Million

In the senior category, Don-Anele Marvelous Munachimso, also from Diamond Special College Owerri, clinched the top position. He received a ₦5 million prize, while his teacher was awarded ₦1 million in recognition of the achievement.

Munachimso’s victory adds to his growing list of academic successes, having recently secured a $100,000 scholarship in Canada.

Competition Designed to Discover Young Mathematical Talents

The Olympiad was organised by Alex Onyia, who explained that the initiative aims to identify and nurture young mathematical talents across the South-East.

According to him, strengthening mathematics education is essential as Africa prepares a workforce capable of competing in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.

The competition began with elimination rounds involving more than 11,500 students from across the region before culminating in the grand finale that crowned the top performers.

Concerns Over Absence of Government Schools

While the event celebrated remarkable achievements by the winners, discussions among education stakeholders also highlighted the absence of government schools among the top-performing institutions. This observation has raised concerns about disparities in learning resources and support systems between public and private schools.

Despite these concerns, organisers described the Olympiad as an important platform for discovering future innovators and problem-solvers.

“With over 11,500 students participating and the best emerging at the end, the future of mathematics and innovation in the South-East looks promising,” Onyia said.