Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borikiri, has emerged winner of the 2026 NLNG Science Contest, defeating competitors from across Rivers State in a keenly contested finale that underscored the growing importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, in driving Nigeria’s future innovation economy.
The competition, organised by Nigeria LNG Limited, NLNG, under the theme “Powering Tomorrow: Science and Innovative Solutions,” brought together students from 140 secondary schools in Rivers State, providing a platform to showcase scientific knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Borikiri School clinched the overall championship after excelling through the contest’s three stages, the Championship, Science Project Exhibition, and Grand Finale, demonstrating what judges described as exceptional accuracy, confidence, and mastery of science concepts.
In the Science Project Exhibition category, Government Girls Secondary School Orominieke emerged first, while Oginigba Comprehensive Secondary School, Oginigba, and Government Girls Secondary School, Finima-Bonny, placed second and third respectively.
Speaking at the grand finale, the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development of NLNG, Mrs. Sophia Horsfall, said the competition has evolved into a strategic platform for developing the next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators, and technology leaders.
“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,” Horsfall stated.
She noted that the company deliberately redesigned the competition to deepen STEM education and equip young Nigerians with skills needed to compete in a rapidly evolving global economy.
“This platform now serves as a genuine catalyst for excellence. We have redesigned it to strengthen foundational knowledge in Mathematics, ICT, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology across a much broader scope. Our goal is to go beyond the textbook, sparking the critical thinking and innovation that our world so urgently needs,” she said.
According to Horsfall, Nigeria’s long-term economic competitiveness will depend largely on young people who can create practical solutions to real-world challenges through science and innovation.
She added that NLNG remains committed to promoting quality education and expanding opportunities for students to engage in science-driven learning and research.
Also speaking, Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, described education as the bedrock of scientific advancement, noting that innovation can only thrive where young minds are equipped with critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
“Education remains the foundation upon which scientific innovation thrives. It equips young minds with critical thinking skills, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and the confidence to transform ideas into practical solutions,” Nwagor said.
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Rivers State Government to strengthening STEM education through improved infrastructure, teacher capacity development, curriculum enhancement, and targeted investments in science education.
“The Rivers State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, remains committed to strengthening the education sector through improved infrastructure, capacity building for teachers, curriculum enhancement, and the promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education,” he added.
Addressing the finalists, Nwagor praised their resilience and academic excellence, describing them as future scientists, researchers, engineers, innovators, and industry leaders who will help shape Nigeria’s economic future.
The 2026 contest began with participation from 140 secondary schools across Rivers State, with seven schools eventually qualifying for the grand finale. In the Science Project Exhibition segment, 42 schools participated, while 11 advanced to the final stage.
Since its introduction in 2008 and relaunch in 2020 following a six-year review period, the NLNG Science Contest has become one of the most prominent science education initiatives in Rivers State. The introduction of the Science Project Exhibition has further expanded its impact by encouraging students to develop practical solutions to scientific and environmental challenges.
The competition is organised in partnership with the Rivers State Ministry of Education, the Rivers State Chapter of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria, STAN, and Dragnet Solutions Limited, reinforcing efforts to build a pipeline of talent capable of supporting Nigeria’s future industrial, technological, and energy ambitions.
