Covenant University Hosts Prestigious 2024 Science Olympiad Nigeria National Tournament

 The Covenant University Community Development Impact Initiative Committee (CU-CDIIC) recently hosted the 2024 Science Olympiad Nigeria National Tournament for both Division A and B finals at the Covenant University Research, Innovation, and Discovery (CUCRID) Building.

The two-day tournament featured a range of challenging events for Division A (Primary Schools) and Division B (Junior Secondary Schools). Events included Boggle Science, Mystery Liquid, Write It, Do It, Compute This, Disease Detectives, Food Science, and Meteorology, held across various laboratories and facilities at Covenant University.

In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Professor Abiodun H. Adebayo, commended the students for reaching this stage of the competition, emphasizing their potential for success. He highlighted the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in fostering innovation and equipping students with skills to address global challenges. Professor Adebayo encouraged the students to focus on contributing to the development of Nigeria, Africa, and the world.

Dr. Aderonke Asaolu, Chair of CU-CDIIC and Ogun State Science Olympiad Tournament Director, echoed similar sentiments, celebrating the event as a pursuit of knowledge and innovation. She emphasized Covenant University’s commitment to academic excellence and research, encouraging participants to embrace camaraderie and push the boundaries of their knowledge.

Representatives from the Science Olympiad USA and the University of Chicago Science Olympiad teams offered words of encouragement, celebrating the students’ achievements. Engineer Olalekan Olabode, representing the President of the Nigeria Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Mr. Okeh Ochulo, Secretary of the Executive Committee on Innovation and Strategy, Chemical Society of Nigeria, also addressed the young scientists, emphasizing perseverance, innovation, and the role of science in driving progress.

The award ceremony concluded the tournament, with Treasure Stars International College, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State, emerging as the winner in Division A, followed by Skyfield International College, Oba Ile, Akure, Ondo State, and Kings Anchor College, Ikotun, Lagos State. In Division B, Treasure Stars International Nursery and Primary School, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State, claimed the first position, followed by Ifako International School, Ifako-Agege, Lagos State, and Giggles Montessori School.

The tournament was attended by notable guests, including the Covenant University management team, representatives from the Science Olympiad USA team, the University of Chicago Science Olympiad team, the Science Olympiad Nigeria National Director, members of the Nigeria Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and the Chemical Society of Nigeria.