- Deeper Life High School, Uyo, won a N5 million prize at the 2025 Sigma national quiz competition
- The founder of RAMS Charity Foundation, the official sponsor of the competition, Dr Victor Etuokwu, said secondary education is the bedrock of development and requires more funding
- Representatives of the winning school dedicated their victory to God, hard work, and adequate preparation
Deeper Life High School, Uyo, has won the star prize of N5 million at the 2025 Roseline Etuokwu Sigma national secondary school competition, defeating five other schools representing the geo-political regions in Nigeria.
The schools participated in the fifth edition of the quiz competition and the second to be held at the national level, held at the University of Ibadan, on Saturday, April 12, with the theme, ‘From Intellectual Empowerment to Action: Equipping Great Minds for Nation-Building.’
Deeper Life High School, Aba, was the first runner up, winning N2 million; The Ambassadors College, Ota, was the second runner up and won N1 million; Dagama Academy, Gusau came fourth and won N500,000; while Gombe High School, Gombe and Federal Government, Suleja were tied at the fifth position and each won N500,000.
The schools fielded questions in five rounds each from English Language, Mathematics, and General Knowledge.
Secondary education is the bedrock of development – Etuokwu
Speaking on the outcome of the competition, Dr Victor Etuokwu, the founder of RAMS Charity Foundation, the official sponsor of the competition, said the essence of the competition is to instil a sense of teamwork and collaboration in young people.
Dr Etuokwu noted that RAMS Charity Foundation is focused on secondary education because it is the bedrock of development and critical to nation-building.
He said, “Education is the bedrock of any country and the bedrock of development. Secondary education is a critical part of education; it precedes tertiary education, and when people go into paid employment. So, it is a foundational aspect of education that we need not lose sight of.
“What we see is that over the years, we have lost sight of this very stage of life, and this is when young people get into adolescence; that is when they really get impressionable and they begin to learn life skills.
“That is the time to engage with them. I have always felt that it is at this stage that we should engage the youth, not when they are 25 but when they are between 10,11, and 19 years because that is when they soak and absorb knowledge, learn skills, and begin to form a worldview of things around them.
“Also, we need to begin to teach youths the sense of teamwork and collaboration, and they begin to learn how to compete fairly and robustly without any moral feelings. These are the kinds of things that we want to teach at this level, and we hope that we get more schools involved.”
Winners dedicate victory to God, hard work, adequate preparation
The representatives of the winning school, Editimfon Etim Nkaha and Mmenyene Esitekom Ekpo, expressed excitement at emerging winners of the competition.
They noted that the victory was a validation of the preparations and hard work they dedicated to the competition.
Nkaha said, “My school will be very happy and joyous because when we were leaving Akwa Ibom State, they told us they want nothing less than the first position, and we have to deliver.
“We held unto God through constant prayers and the efforts of our teachers, who kept us up to date and always practicing with us. I know my school will be very proud of us.”
UI’s VC calls for more funding for secondary education
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of the university, Prof Peter Olapegba, effusively appreciated Sigma Club and RAMS Charity Foundation for organising the competition.
Prof Olapegba reiterated the importance of education in curbing social vices and raising responsible members of society and called for more investments in the educational sector.
He said, “This competition is the Sigma Club’s way of trying to engage the youth and to mould them to become responsible adults in society. I want to commend the Sigma Club and RAMS Foundation for this good initiative.
“When I saw the amount of money that was going to be given, I became very impressed because when you look at our country, you will realise that people don’t put money into educational issues or peanuts. But some other not-too-educative programmes, they put millions. So, when other youngsters see this, they would be inspired that they can be on this stage, and they become more diligent and focused in their studies.”
Education commissioners call for private sector partnership to boost education
In their separate speeches, the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Prof Abdulwaheed Salihu, represented by Mr Kayode Okesade, and his Ogun State counterpart, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, represented by Mrs Titilola Osikalu, stressed the importance of such educational events in shaping the future of the country.
Prof Salihu said, “Events like this national quiz competition are not merely contests of knowledge but platforms for showcasing excellence and encouraging curiosity.
“They inspire students to think critically, solve problems effectively, and engage in healthy intellectual discussions. These are qualities that will prepare them to excel, not just academically, but in life.
“Sigma Club has undoubtedly made an investment in the future of these young leaders, and the dividends will be evident in their contributions to our nation in the years to come.
“Furthermore, this event reminds us of the importance of partnerships in advancing education. The government alone cannot meet all the needs of the education sector, and that is why the contributions of organisations like Sigma Club and other stakeholders are invaluable.
“Together, we can create a society where access to quality education is a right, not a privilege, and where every child is given the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
In his welcome address, Sigma Chief of Sigma Club, UI, Olalekan Michael Ajibola, said the competition is an avenue to showcase future leaders of the country.
“They are the ones who will take the lessons learned here today and transform them into tangible and meaningful action. It is upon their shoulders that the future of Nigeria rests, and it is our duty to ensure that they are fully equipped to carry the weight of that responsibility,” Ajibola said.
See the 20 oldest secondary schools in Nigeria
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that education has always been a major focal point in Nigeria, transforming people’s orientation and day-to-day transactions.
Although educational institutions spring up in Nigeria on a daily basis, from elementary to tertiary, those established during Nigeria’s colonial period have stood the test of time and produced icons across numerous generations in Nigeria. TheRadar compiled a list of the 20 oldest secondary schools in Nigeria from 1859-1915.
