Top 81 Students Emerge from Over 21,700 Entries in InterswitchSPAK Season 8 National STEM Competition
A total of 81 outstanding secondary school students have qualified for the next stage of the eighth edition of the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition after emerging from more than 21,700 participants across Nigeria, marking a significant increase in interest in STEM education nationwide.
A total of 81 exceptional students have qualified for the next stage of the eighth edition of the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition after emerging from over 21,700 participants drawn from secondary schools across Nigeria.
The announcement was made by Interswitch, one of Africa's leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, in Lagos on Sunday, highlighting another milestone in its flagship Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative for senior secondary school students.
The successful candidates secured their places after excelling in the national pre-qualifying examinations, demonstrating outstanding academic performance to advance to the next phase of the competition.
According to Interswitch, this year's participation recorded an estimated 19.7 per cent increase compared to the more than 18,200 students who registered for Season 7. The company said the growth reflects increasing national interest in STEM education and reinforces InterswitchSPAK's position as one of Nigeria's leading platforms for identifying, nurturing and rewarding young scientific talents.
The 81 finalists will proceed to the next stage of the competition, which will include further assessments and the televised rounds scheduled to air between November 2026 and January 2027. At stake are tertiary education scholarships and prizes valued at over ₦40 million.
Speaking on the development, Tomi Ogunlesi, Divisional Head, Brands Communications, Content and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Interswitch, described the successful students as a reflection of the immense talent and potential among young Nigerians.
"The emergence of these 81 exceptional students is a testament to the incredible talent, resilience and promise that exists among young Nigerians. At Interswitch, we believe that investing in STEM education is critical to building the innovators, problem-solvers and technology leaders who will shape Africa's future.
"While we celebrate those advancing to the next stage, we are equally proud of every student who participated and demonstrated the courage to challenge themselves and pursue excellence," Ogunlesi said.
The company also commended parents, teachers and participating schools for their continued support, describing their encouragement and commitment as vital to the sustained success and growing impact of the InterswitchSPAK initiative.
Now in its eighth season, InterswitchSPAK has continued to serve as a national platform that promotes academic excellence by rewarding exceptional students with mentorship opportunities, educational support and exposure to life-changing experiences.
Interswitch noted that beyond the competition, the initiative underscores its long-term commitment to advancing education, fostering innovation and developing the human capital needed to accelerate Africa's digital transformation.
The competition will continue through additional stages aimed at identifying Nigeria's brightest STEM students before culminating in the televised grand finale, where the country's top young science talents will compete for scholarships and national recognition.
For more information and updates on InterswitchSPAK Season 8, visit www.interswitchspak.com or follow InterswitchSPAK on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and X.
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