A 15-year-old pupil of Anchor Springfield School, Lagos, Ms Adekunle Aliyah, has emerged overall winner of the Academic Excellence Initiative (AEI) 2025 Annual Award/Scholars’ Day.
She scored 84 per cent in the highly competitive quiz contest.
The event, held in Lagos, drew participation from 197 students across 63 schools. Munachi Emmanuella of Orisumibare Senior High School came second, while Muhammed Beyioku of Minbar-Minds College came third with 82 per cent.
Other top scorers included Omobolanle Akanji and Daniel Adeh of Dansol High School, who both earned 80 per cent, and Maryam Sideeqah Muyili of Minbar-Minds College with 78 per cent.
Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Taiwo Fagbemi, commended the organisers for their commitment to youth development and described the event’s theme, Redefining Academic Excellence in the Era of Artificial Intelligence, as timely and forward-looking.
“It’s inspiring to see our young people engaging with the opportunities AI presents. While innovation carries risks, AI, when used creatively, holds immense potential to help young minds achieve extraordinary things,” he said.
Guest of Honour and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Tunji Sarafa Isola, underscored the importance of education in national development.
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He lamented how illiteracy and poverty have stifled Nigeria’s democratic progress, noting that education remains the strongest weapon for social and political transformation.
“What you have done here today, recognising and celebrating academic excellence, is a noble and inspiring gesture,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Research Director at the Healthy Africans Platform in the United States, Tunde Aborode took participants through the practical use of AI in sourcing and applying for scholarships.
He explained how artificial intelligence can simplify the search process, match students’ profiles with available opportunities, and even assist in fine-tuning application materials.
“AI can help you only if you help yourself. Know your story first, AI can only enhance it, not write it for you,” he said.
He added that AI tools can prepare applicants for interviews by generating likely questions based on public data from past scholarship recipients and online platforms.
According to him, using AI responsibly can give students a critical edge in accessing local and international funding opportunities.
Apart from the quiz competition, AEI – a non-governmental organisation, provides weekly coaching, leadership development, and youth orientation programmes.
This year’s event also featured remarks from Dr. Nasir Baba-Ahmed, CEO of Octagon Cybersecurity in France, and Prince Michael Adewoye, Director of Racy and Sturdy Schools, Lagos, who offered career advice and encouragement to the students.
Winners went home with cash prizes and recognition certificates, as AEI reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing the next generation of Nigerian leaders.