LAGOS/Nigeria: A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), SweetThinkers, has advanced its 2025 annual academic excellence competition to the second stage, in a continued effort to promote excellence among pupils in Lagos public primary schools.
The initiative, tagged “SweetThinkers Top 200 Academic Excellence Competition,” is designed to improve learning outcomes and inspire over 2,000 pupils across the 20 local government areas of Lagos State.
Speaking at the Lagos Central centres of the competition, Oluwatosin Akinola, Project Manager of SweetThinkers, said the programme reflects the organisation’s deep commitment to making education a shared community responsibility and to driving long-term social impact through scholarships and infrastructural support.
“This stage marks a significant milestone on the journey to the grand finale where pupils will showcase their knowledge, confidence, and potential,” Akinola stated. “The competition also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education, spotlighting the brightest young minds in our public schools.”
She explained that more than 2,000 pupils participated in the first stage, from which 200 qualified for the second stage held simultaneously in Lagos Island, Oshodi, and Maryland.
“The second stage was highly competitive,” Akinola noted. “Forty pupils — ten each from Lagos Central and East districts, and twenty from Lagos West, given its larger participant pool — will now advance to stage three. The finalists will compete at the 2026 grand finale for scholarships and other prizes.”
The grand finale, she added, will feature assessments based on speed, accuracy, and overall excellence, with scholarships, cash prizes, and infrastructure support awarded to outstanding pupils and their schools.
A teacher at Federal Housing Estate Nursery and Primary School, Victoria Island, Mr. Bamigbade Olamilekan, praised SweetThinkers for motivating pupils to strive for academic success.
“This is a laudable initiative that adds value to our education system and strengthens the foundation of public education,” he said.
Pupil participants also expressed enthusiasm for the competition. Esther Iyiola of Kuramo Primary School, Eti-Osa, described the experience as “challenging but rewarding,” while Ileka Abuchi from Animasahun Primary School, Surulere, said she was thrilled to participate and urged SweetThinkers to sustain the annual programme.
