FUTA Biochemistry Students Win 2026 NISEB University Quiz and Pitch Competition

Two undergraduate students of the Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Akinrogba Afeez Idowu and Anoro Emmanuel Oghenemaro, have emerged winners of the 2026 Annual University Quiz and Pitch Competition organised by the Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology (NISEB).

The students clinched first place after recording the highest overall score in the final round of the competition, which was held during the 2026 NISEB Conference at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Afeez and Emmanuel emerged champions after progressing through three competitive stages involving 14 universities at the preliminary stage. Seven universities advanced to the semi-finals, while the top four proceeded to the final round.

At the final, the FUTA team recorded a total score of 76.4 per cent, emerging ahead of representatives of Covenant University, who scored 62.3 per cent to finish second. The University of Ilorin and the University of Benin finished third and fourth respectively.

The final score was based on the contestants' quiz performance and a graded presentation on the topic, “Biotechnology as Nigeria's New Oil: Myth or Possibility.”

The FUTA representatives recorded a perfect score in the quiz alongside two other participating universities before their presentation performance gave them the decisive advantage in the overall ranking.

The victory makes FUTA the defending champion of the NISEB University Quiz and Pitch Competition, following the University's success in the 2025 edition.

The achievement also reflects the continued academic performance of FUTA students, with the University's 2026 team benefiting from the guidance and support of the Head of the Department of Biochemistry and NISEB FUTA Quiz Team Coordinator, Professor A.C. Akinmoladun.

Former participants, Ayeni Stephen Olakunle and Ajayi Oluwalana Victor, also played important roles in preparing and supporting the 2026 representatives ahead of the competition.

Following their victory, Afeez and Emmanuel paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji, on July 17, 2026.

Professor Oladiji congratulated the students for their outstanding performance and commended them for bringing honour to the University through their achievement.

The Vice-Chancellor also appreciated the students for once again demonstrating FUTA's strength in academic excellence and for projecting the University's name positively on the national stage.