US-based Nigerian gifts STEM Olympiad gold medallists N1m

A United States-based Nigerian hydrogen specialist, Dr Michael Taiwo, has rewarded three Nigerian students who won gold medals at the International STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy, with ₦1m.

Taiwo made the pledge in a post on X on Tuesday, and later fulfilled it, after the students’ feat was announced by education advocate, Alex Onyia.

Reacting to Onyia’s announcement of the students’ victory on X, Taiwo wrote, “This is an impressive achievement. Congratulations. I will be gifting these lads with 1M. Please DM me the bank details.”

Onyia had earlier disclosed that the Nigerian team, made up of Chimdiebube Onwubiko, Don Anele Munachimso and Egejurum Onyedikachi, clinched a total of four gold medals at the competition.

The event held at the Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma and attracted contestants from more than 150 countries.

He said, “The wait is over. We have two golds: Chimdiebube Onwubiko and Don Anele Munachimso. We are the best in the world!”

Onyia had initially left out Egejurum’s name from his first announcement, a lapse he swiftly corrected.

He later confirmed that the 11-year-old, who competed in the primary Mathematics category, had also won gold, and that Anele had picked up a second medal in Science.

Related News Vitafoam strengthens customer engagement, inaugurates comfort centre

Adeleke unveils health insurance for Osun monarchs, says 200 PHC rehabilitated

FG moves to streamline 270 oil industry taxes, levies

The three students, aged 11, 13 and 17, qualified for the Rome finale after emerging among the best performers at the Southeast Mathematics Olympiad, a regional competition organised by Onyia that drew more than 11,500 participants.

Onyia had personally sponsored their trip to Italy, covering registration, visas, flights, accommodation and other expenses.

Hours after his pledge, Taiwo made good on his promise.

A community advocate for the Southeast-focused ISEE education project, Innocent Chukwudubem, announced the payment on X alongside a screenshot of the transaction.

He wrote, “Promise made, promise kept. I am here to announce that Dr Michael Taiwo has fulfilled his promise of supporting the STEM Olympiad lads with the 1M. Doc na talk and do. Thank you sir. Thank you (Onyia) for your sacrifice and commitment to ISEE project.”

Taiwo, a Nigerian-born chemical engineer, holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arkansas and works as a senior hydrogen specialist at Shell USA, focusing on clean energy and carbon management.

He founded the Michael Taiwo Scholarships in 2019 to support academically gifted but financially disadvantaged students from developing countries pursue graduate studies abroad, a programme that has received tens of thousands of applications and placed hundreds of scholars in top universities.

The students’ success comes weeks after education stakeholders disclosed that Nigeria had been downgraded to observer status at the 2026 International Mathematical Olympiad in Shanghai, China, following years of non-competitive participation blamed on funding challenges.