Reporter: Christian Nwangene
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has rewarded 13-year-old International STEM Olympiad gold medalist, Chimdiebube Onwubiko, with ₦2 million in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement at the International STEM Olympiad held in Rome, Italy.
The governor also announced a ₦2 million cash reward for the student’s Mathematics teacher, Mr. Chisom Unachukwu, and ₦1 million for Evergreen Schools, Enugu, commending the institution for nurturing academic excellence and producing globally competitive students.
Receiving the young scholar at the Lion Building, Government House, Enugu, on Monday, Governor Mbah described Onwubiko’s success as a source of pride for Enugu State and Nigeria, noting that the feat demonstrated what could be achieved through discipline, hard work and quality education.
“We are so proud of you and your teachers,” the governor said. “You have made Enugu State proud and shown that with determination, our children can compete successfully with the best minds in the world. We encourage you not to relent but to continue striving for even greater accomplishments.
Onwubiko, a Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3) student of Evergreen College, Enugu, won a gold medal in Mathematics and a silver medal in Science in the Grades 9–11 category at the International STEM Olympiad, where students from 54 countries competed.
Governor Mbah said the achievement reinforced his administration’s determination to invest in quality education through strategic reforms and infrastructure development.
He explained that the state’s Smart Green Schools Initiative was designed to provide children in every community with access to world-class education capable of unlocking their talents and preparing them for global opportunities.
According to him, the government’s investment in education is aimed at producing innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs and leaders who will drive the state’s future development.
During an interactive session, Governor Mbah jokingly described the young scholar as “a magician” in Mathematics and asked him to reveal the secret behind his exceptional performance and future ambitions.
Responding, Onwubiko attributed his success to discipline, consistent preparation and a passion for academic competitions.
He said the achievements of his classmates continually inspired him to work harder, adding that while teachers provide guidance, students must remain committed to excellence through personal sacrifice and determination.
Speaking on behalf of the school, the Chief Executive Officer of Evergreen Schools, Barrister Doris Chinedu-Okoro, described the international recognition as the outcome of years of rigorous academic preparation and a culture of excellence deliberately cultivated by the institution.
She expressed confidence that Evergreen Schools would continue producing students capable of competing successfully on the global stage.
The student’s Mathematics teacher, Mr. Chisom Unachukwu, said the victory reflected years of deliberate mentoring and perseverance, recalling that Onwubiko competed confidently against older contestants from different countries.
