Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borikiri, has emerged as the overall winner of the 2026 NLNG Science Contest, following an outstanding performance at the grand finale held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The prestigious competition, organized by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), concluded on Wednesday after months of rigorous academic engagement, scientific inquiry, and innovation-driven challenges involving secondary schools across Rivers State.
With the theme “Powering Tomorrow: Science and Innovative Solutions,” the 2026 edition of the contest brought together some of the brightest young minds in the state to showcase their knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. The initiative is designed to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education while nurturing the next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators, and technology leaders.
After successfully navigating several rounds of intense intellectual competition, Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borikiri, distinguished itself through exceptional accuracy, confidence, and a strong command of scientific concepts to claim the coveted championship title.
The victory marked the culmination of a comprehensive three-phase competition comprising the Championship Round, Science Project Exhibition, and Grand Finale.
In the Science Project Exhibition category, Government Girls Secondary School, Orominieke secured first place, while Oginigba Comprehensive Secondary School, Oginigba finished second. Government Girls Secondary School, Finima-Bonny claimed third position for their innovative science-based projects and practical solutions to contemporary challenges.
Speaking during the grand finale, Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG, described the competition as a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian youth and a deliberate effort to foster innovation-driven development.
According to Horsfall, the NLNG Science Contest has evolved into a powerful platform for nurturing scientific excellence and inspiring young people to pursue careers in STEM-related fields.
“The NLNG Science Contest provides the framework required for innovation-led projects to thrive, as NLNG continues to inspire a sustainable future through the power of science,” she stated.
She explained that the competition had been redesigned to deepen students’ understanding of key STEM subjects, including Mathematics, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
“This platform now serves as a genuine catalyst for excellence. Our goal is to move beyond textbook learning by stimulating critical thinking, creativity, and innovation—the very skills needed to address the complex challenges facing our world today,” Horsfall added.
She further emphasized NLNG’s commitment to advancing quality education and strengthening young people’s interest in science and technology, noting that Nigeria’s future growth depends on a generation capable of innovative thinking and practical problem-solving.
Also speaking at the event, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Dr. Peters Nwagor, underscored the critical role of education in driving scientific innovation and national development.
He noted that education provides young people with the critical thinking skills, creativity, confidence, and problem-solving capabilities needed to transform ideas into impactful solutions.
According to him, the Rivers State Government recognizes science education as a strategic pillar for building a prosperous, competitive, and technologically advanced society.
“The Rivers State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, remains committed to strengthening the education sector through improved infrastructure, teacher capacity development, curriculum enhancement, and the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education,” Nwagor stated.
Addressing the students, the Commissioner congratulated all participants for reaching the advanced stages of the competition, describing their achievements as evidence of hard work, discipline, determination, and academic excellence.
He encouraged them to remain focused on their educational pursuits, stressing that regardless of the final outcome, they had already distinguished themselves as future scientists, researchers, engineers, innovators, and leaders.
The 2026 NLNG Science Contest attracted participation from 140 secondary schools across Rivers State, demonstrating growing enthusiasm for science education among students and schools.
Of the participating schools, seven advanced to the Championship Grand Finale, while 42 schools competed in the Science Project Exhibition category, with 11 qualifying for the final exhibition stage.
The competition continues to serve as one of the state’s most significant educational initiatives aimed at promoting scientific excellence and innovation among secondary school students.
First launched in 2008, the NLNG Science Contest was relaunched in 2020 following a six-year review period aimed at improving its structure and impact. Since then, the programme has expanded significantly in scope and relevance.
The introduction of the Science Project Exhibition component has further strengthened the initiative by encouraging students to develop practical solutions to scientific, environmental, and societal challenges while deepening their engagement with STEM disciplines.
Organized in partnership with the Rivers State Ministry of Education, the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN), Rivers State Chapter, and Dragnet Solutions Limited, the competition has become a respected platform for identifying talent, encouraging innovation, and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, technologists, and problem-solvers in Rivers State.
As the curtain falls on the 2026 edition, the success of Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borikiri, and the outstanding performances recorded throughout the competition reinforce the growing importance of STEM education in shaping Nigeria’s future and empowering young innovators to develop solutions for tomorrow’s challenges.
