TD Rome, Italy — Nigeria’s academic pride soared on the global stage as three brilliant students from the Southeast region distinguished themselves at the 2026 International STEM Olympiad Grand Finale in Rome.
The young students competed against their peers from over 150 countries.
Education advocate and CEO of Educare, Alex Onyia, announced that Chimdiebube Onwubiko and Don Anele Munachimso secured gold medals in their respective categories.
He raised concern that Egejurum Onyedikachi, who also won gold in Primary Mathematics, was omitted from the official medal list despite deserving recognition.
Onyia’s announcement electrified social media:
“The wait is over. We have 2 golds: Chimdiebube Onwubiko and Don Anele Munachimso.
“We are the best in the world! Egejurum Onyedikachi’s name was omitted. He should have a gold.”
Path to Rome
The three students qualified through the South East Mathematics Olympiad, organized by Educare, which drew over 11,500 participants earlier in the year.
Onyia personally sponsored their trip to Rome.
He covered their logistics and ensured that Nigeria was represented at one of the world’s most prestigious STEM competitions.
The Champions
- Don Anele Munachimso (17): Crowned world champion in Science, he was recognized as the top performer in his grade category.
Already Nigeria’s best IGCSE Chemistry student, Munachimso’s victory cements his reputation as a rising star in STEM.
- Chimdiebube Onwubiko (13): Onwubiko, a JSS3 student has already completed Engineering Mathematics by K. A. Stroud.
He stunned judges by winning gold in his category, proving himself on the world stage at a remarkably young age.
- Egejurum Onyedikachi: A pupil of Diamond Special College, Owerri, Imo State, Onyedikachi won gold in Primary Mathematics.
He proudly held the Nigerian flag in Rome. His omission from the official medal list sparked debate, but his achievement remains celebrated nationwide.
National Pride and Private Initiative
The victories have fueled widespread celebration across Nigeria, especially in the Southeast.
Several observers hailed the role of private initiative in uncovering and nurturing talent.
Their teachers, Master Chisom Unachukwu and Anthony Iwegbu, were credited for mentoring the champions.
They are from Evergreen Schools Enugu and Diamond Special College Owerri respectively.
Onyia emphasized that investing in these children was “worth it” and pledged to double down on supporting education technology and talent development.
The triumph of these “Three Wise Men from the East” has become a symbol of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of education in Nigeria.
