TD Okija, Anambra State — Students of Gonzaga Jesuit College, Okija, Anambra State, have brought pride to Nigeria and the South-East region after clinching an impressive haul of medals at the recently concluded Global STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy.
The team secured eight gold medals and three silver medals, a feat that has been widely celebrated both at home and abroad.
In a video message shared after their victory, the jubilant students declared:
“We came, we saw, and we conquered. It is not easy to have eight gold medals in the world and we also have three silver medals.
“Please can you people say hi to the world out there.”
Their excitement reflected the magnitude of their achievement, as they waved and smiled, proud of representing Nigeria on the global stage.
Watch the video clip below:
Gonzaga Jesuit College: From South-East Olympiad to Global Glory
The journey to Rome began earlier this year when Gonzaga Jesuit College students emerged winners at the South-East Mathematics Olympiad.
The wins earned them the right to represent Nigeria at the international STEM competition.
Their preparation was rigorous, combining classroom excellence with practical problem-solving skills.
According to reports, the students demonstrated outstanding abilities in mathematics, science, and technology, which positioned them as strong contenders even before the finals.
International Recognition
At the Olympiad in Rome, the Nigerian team competed against peers from across the world.
Their victory not only highlighted their brilliance but also showcased the potential of Nigerian students in global academic competitions.
The eight gold medals and three silver medals stand as a testament to their resilience, discipline, and intellectual capacity.
The Gonzaga Jesuit College team’s success is expected to encourage more schools to invest in STEM education, preparing students for future challenges in science and technology.
The students are set to return home to a hero’s welcome, with plans underway for recognition by both the state government and national education authorities.
National Pride and Future Prospects for Gonzaga Jesuit College
The achievement has sparked celebrations across Anambra State and Nigeria at large.
Education stakeholders have praised the students and their teachers for their dedication.
They noted that such victories inspire confidence in the country’s educational system.
Their triumph underscores the importance of nurturing young talent and providing platforms for them to excel internationally.
As one of the students joyfully remarked during their victory celebration: “Good having you, it’s been a wonderful outing.”
Indeed, their outing in Rome has become a shining example of Nigerian excellence on the world stage.
How Many Gold Medals At Stake At Global STEM Olympiad In Rome?
Based on the official information released by the organisers and media reports covering the event, there was no fixed number of gold medals “at stake” for the 2026 International STEM Olympiad Grand Final in Rome.
Unlike the Olympic Games, the International STEM Olympiad awards medals across multiple categories, age groups, and subjects, including Mathematics, Science, Coding, Engineering, Technology, and special challenge events.
Gold medals are awarded based on participants’ performance within each category rather than from a single, fixed pool of medals.
This explains why:
- Three Nigerian students won a combined four gold medals.
- Another Nigerian school, The Ambassadors Schools, Ota, won 15 gold medals, in addition to silver and bronze medals.
- Kenya’s delegation won five gold medals among its 44 total medals.
- And now students of Gonzaga Jesuit College, Okija, Anambra State, secured eight gold medals and three silver medals
These results show that many gold medals were available, with awards distributed independently across the various competition categories and divisions rather than being limited to a predetermined total.
The organisers did not specify a single total number of gold medals available at the Rome Grand Final, and no official figure for the total number of gold medals “at stake” has been published.
