Obafemi Awolowo University defeated the Federal University of Technology, Akure, 107-62 in the grand finale of the 2026 National STEM Competition, securing the overall title announced on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The win came after OAU had outperformed other universities in earlier rounds to reach the final stage against FUTA.
The final tested teams on innovation, real-world problem-solving and collaborative engineering, and OAU finished ahead in a contest that drew top universities from across Nigeria. Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire said the result reaffirmed the university's enduring legacy in science and technology education, research and innovation, and described it as a proud moment that showed OAU remained a pacesetter in STEM.
University management said the students' performance reflected the institution's core values of excellence, integrity and hard work. Leye Falode praised their resilience and teamwork, saying the victory was built on rigorous preparation and the enabling academic environment provided by the university. Abiodun Olarewaju called it a thrilling display of brilliance.
The broader significance is simple: OAU did not just survive a multi-stage national contest, it beat a strong field and finished on top when the final tested the very qualities the university says it is built to cultivate. The team is expected to be formally received by the university senate, giving the campus a chance to mark a result management says should spur even greater accomplishments.
