InterswitchSPAK Season 8: Over 21,000 Nigerian Students Sit for National STEM Competition Examinations
LAGOS, Nigeria — More than 21,000 senior secondary school students across Nigeria are participating in the national pre-qualifying examinations for Season 8 of InterswitchSPAK, the flagship science competition organised by Interswitch to identify and nurture exceptional talents in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The examinations, which commenced on June 9 and will run until June 16, 2026, recorded a total of over 21,000 participants nationwide, representing a 19.7 per cent increase from the more than 18,000 registrations recorded in Season 7.
Now in its eighth edition, InterswitchSPAK has continued to establish itself as one of Nigeria’s foremost educational platforms dedicated to discovering, developing, and rewarding outstanding STEM students at the secondary school level.
The pre-qualifying examinations serve as the first stage in a rigorous selection process aimed at identifying the country’s brightest young minds in science and technology. Successful candidates will advance through subsequent stages of the competition before competing in a televised grand finale for scholarships and prizes valued at over ₦40 million.
Speaking on the commencement of the examinations, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications at Interswitch, Cherry Eromosele, expressed satisfaction with the increasing participation recorded this year.
According to her, the significant rise in registrations demonstrates growing enthusiasm among Nigerian students for STEM education and innovation.
“The remarkable increase in registrations for Season 8 reflects the growing enthusiasm among young Nigerians for STEM education and innovation. We are encouraged by the confidence students, parents, teachers, and schools continue to place in InterswitchSPAK as a platform for academic excellence and opportunity,” Eromosele said.
She added that the organisation looks forward to identifying another set of exceptional young talents who will contribute significantly to Nigeria’s future in science and technology.
A major highlight of this year’s edition is the introduction of an expanded registration model that allows parents and guardians to directly register their children and wards, in addition to the traditional school-based registration system. The initiative is expected to improve accessibility and broaden participation among talented students across the country.
Since its inception, InterswitchSPAK has impacted thousands of students through scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and national recognition, while promoting educational excellence and equity in STEM disciplines.
For Season 8, the overall winner will receive a ₦15 million tertiary education scholarship, including monthly stipends. The first runner-up will be awarded a ₦10 million scholarship, while the second runner-up will receive a ₦5 million scholarship. All scholarship packages will be disbursed over a five-year period.
Additionally, all nine finalists will receive brand-new laptops and other prizes.
Interswitch also announced enhanced rewards for finalists who finish between fourth and ninth positions, alongside increased recognition for teachers whose students emerge among the top nine finalists.
The company said the expanded reward structure reflects its commitment to celebrating academic excellence while recognising the critical role educators play in developing future STEM leaders.
Through the InterswitchSPAK initiative, Interswitch continues to invest in Nigeria’s education sector by empowering the next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers who will contribute to national development and strengthen the country’s global competitiveness.
Further information and updates on the competition are available via the official InterswitchSPAK website and the programme’s social media platforms.
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