Three exceptional young Nigerians from the South East have put the country on the global map, winning multiple medals at the 2026 International STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy. Dubbed the “Three Wise Men from the East” by their sponsor, the students outperformed competitors from over 150 nations in mathematics and science categories.
Egejurum Onyedikachi Ethan (11 years old), Onwubiko Chimdiebube Victor (13), and Don Anele Munachimso Marvellous (17) represented Nigeria after dominating the South East Mathematics Olympiad, which drew more than 11,500 participants across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.
According to reports from the competition, Don Anele Munachimso earned gold medals in both Science (named the world’s best in his category) and Mathematics (Grades 9-11). Chimdiebube Onwubiko secured a silver in Science and gold in Mathematics for Grades 9-11, while Egejurum Onyedikachi claimed gold in the World Primary Mathematics category.
The delegation, accompanied by teachers Anthony Iwegbu Tochukwu and Chisom Unachukwu, was fully sponsored by Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, an education technology platform serving over one million students. Onyia founded and funded the regional Olympiad to identify and nurture talent, personally covering flights, accommodation, and expenses estimated at around 30,000 euros.
In a widely shared X post featuring the medalists posing proudly in Rome with their awards, Onyia wrote: “The 3 Wise Men from the East. They came to Rome and conquered. Nigeria will be great again once we declare a state of emergency in education.”
The students’ achievements highlight the potential of targeted private initiatives in a nation where government support for gifted programs has often been limited. Their success comes amid broader discussions on improving STEM education across Nigeria.
Educare and Onyia have been praised for bridging gaps in talent development, with many calling for similar efforts nationwide to replicate this model. The young scholars are expected to return home as inspirations for a new generation of Nigerian innovators.
Pen Agency News will continue to monitor developments in Nigeria’s education sector and youth achievements on the global stage.