Three Nigerian Students Win Gold Medals at 2026 International STEM Olympiad in Rome

Three young Nigerians have made their country proud by winning gold medals at the 2026 International STEM Olympiad held in Rome, Italy, competing against students from 154 countries around the world.

Chimdiebube Onwubiko, already recognised as the best mathematician in Nigeria at the junior secondary level, secured gold in the mathematics category. Don Anele Munachimso Marvelous, who was previously Nigeria’s best IGCSE Chemistry student, achieved an even more remarkable feat by winning gold in both mathematics and science, making him the best in the world in science at the competition. Perhaps the most stunning performance came from 11‑year‑old Egejurum Onyedikachi Ethan, a Primary 6 student who claimed gold in the primary mathematics category, earning the title of the best primary school mathematician in the world at the 2026 International STEM Olympiad.

The students’ participation was fully sponsored by Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, who funded the entire trip and travelled to Rome with the students and their teachers. Onyia broke the news on X with barely contained pride. “The wait is over. We have 2 golds: Chimdiebube Onwubiko and Don Anele Munachimso. We are the best in the world!” he wrote, before following up with more good news about Egejurum Onyedikachi, whose name had initially been omitted from the results. “Onyedikachi Egejurum got a Gold. He is the best in Mathematics in the world Primary Category. This is the beginning of greatness for the country,” Onyia added.

There was also a touching surprise at the award ceremony in Rome: Egejurum Onyedikachi’s mother had quietly travelled to Rome to watch her son receive his gold medal in person. The three students had spent months preparing for the competition before travelling to Rome, where they also enjoyed a boat ride with peers from other countries and a visit to Cinecittà World Aqua World amusement park.

Reflecting on the achievement, Onyia said: “In 10 years, I pray you will be alive to see what this generation of our children will become through our sustained effort. They will be greater than we have ever been”.

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