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By Sola Rotimi
Kwara State has emerged overall winner in the Primary School category of the 2025 Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) Annual Conference Quiz Competition, while also securing 4th position in the Senior Secondary category.
The national competition, which was held at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, brought together learners from primary and secondary schools across the country to compete for top positions.
Kwara was represented in the Primary category by pupils from Lightway Schools and Gloryseeds Schools, while Chapel Secondary School, Union Baptist Grammar School and Faith Academy, all in Ilorin, the capital, represented the state in the Senior Secondary category.
The stiff competition, which lasted for three days, took participants through three rigorous stages before the top three states emerged in each category.
Leading Team Kwara to the competition were the Chairman of STAN, Kwara State Chapter, Professor O. A. Akanbi of the University of Ilorin; the Secretary, Mr. Diya Gabriel; and the Treasurer, Mr. Adetona.
Speaking after the event, STAN Kwara commended the learners for their excellent performance.
“We celebrate all the learners for representing Kwara State well in this year’s edition of the annual quiz competition. A big thumbs up to the schools that produced our representatives through STAN, Kwara State Chapter.
“Kudos to the teachers who prepared them and followed them through to achieve this feat,” the statement read.
The delegation noted that Kwara State competed in the national tournament and won the championship in the Primary Science Quiz category, and came 4th in the Senior Secondary category, stressing that they would be defending it in next year’s contest.
They expressed gratitude to the STAN headquarters, the Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for creating an enabling environment for the promotion of science education.
The delegation also showed appreciation to all schools (students and teachers) “who have made the year worthwhile in terms of value-adding input and immeasurable contributions.”
One of the participants, Zion Elewide from Lightway Schools, shared his experiences: “I feel happy and excited to have represented Kwara State and won First Position in the STAN National Quiz Competition. I feel bigger and more confident in myself because it’s a dream come true. I know I just started an exciting journey—greater heights I go…”
Sharing his journey to Ogun State, Emmanuel Ayanda, another participant from Gloryseed Schools, relayed both the excitement and challenges faced.
“My journey to Abeokuta, Ogun State, was filled with joy, expectation, and fun. We had a conducive accommodation but had to take care of our feeding. The competition was tough, but with the support and drilling from our teachers, we emerged 1st position. I felt very good representing the state and coming out well.
Another pupil from Lightway Schools, Zion Afolabi, expressed pride in the state’s performance.
“I feel happy that Kwara State got First Position in the Primary category, which means we represented the state well. I feel proud that we did not let our teachers, proprietors, fellow learners, and parents down.
“I am confident that the next representatives of Kwara State will make all of us proud,” she added.
