The Tolaram Science Challenge has produced its champion for the 10th consecutive year — and the winner is no stranger to the top spot. Iwerekun Community Senior High School, Ibeju-Lekki, clinched first place at the 10th edition of the Tolaram Science Challenge (TSC), recording a historic third straight victory. Furthermore, the win cements the school’s status as a dominant force in secondary school STEM competition across Lagos State.
The Tolaram Science Challenge, sponsored by the Lagos Free Zone, is an annual science contest for secondary schools in the Ibeju-Lekki axis. Since its launch, the competition has grown into one of the most celebrated youth STEM platforms in Nigeria. This year’s grand finale drew sharp excitement, as Iwerekun outclassed Magbon-Alade Senior Grammar School in a closely fought battle for the championship title.
Tolaram Science Challenge Results: Winners, Runners-Up, and Star Students
Sixteen secondary schools participated in this year’s edition. Each school fielded a team of six students. Together, those students tackled five core subject areas: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and General Knowledge. The breadth of topics ensured only the most well-rounded teams could rise to the top.
Beyond the team event, three individual students also distinguished themselves with outstanding performances. Nyong Jebson took first place in the individual category. Adekunle Ephraim followed closely in second, while Ashikodi Chukwu came in third. Notably, each of these top performers received a cash prize as recognition for their academic excellence.
Ibeju Senior High School, Lekki, came third overall in the team standings. Community Senior High School, Lekki, followed in fourth place. The results, therefore, reflected healthy competition across multiple schools in the Ibeju-Lekki corridor.
Lagos Free Zone Celebrates a Decade of the Tolaram Science Challenge
The grand finale also served as a moment of deep reflection. Representing Lagos Free Zone CEO Adesuwa Ladoja, Director of Zone Development Binay Saraf described the competition’s 10-year journey as a remarkable milestone.
“Over the past decade, we have seen this event grow in scale, participation, and impact. Each year, more schools, more students and more teachers have joined us on this journey of discovery and learning,” Saraf quoted Ladoja as saying.
Ladoja, moreover, noted that the Tolaram Science Challenge now stands as a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility programme for Lagos Free Zone. In her view, the competition’s success reflects a genuine commitment to the communities surrounding the free zone.
“Today, the Tolaram Science Challenge has become a platform that encourages curiosity, innovation, critical thinking and healthy competition. More importantly, it has become a symbol of our commitment to investing in the future of our communities,” she said.
Her words also carried a broader message about what education truly means. She stressed that community development goes beyond building roads or creating employment. Rather, it equally means creating meaningful opportunities for young people to learn and discover their potential.
“At Lagos Free Zone and Tolaram, we believe that developing communities goes beyond building infrastructure or creating jobs. It also means creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow and discover their potential,” she added.
Competition Builds Confidence, Not Just Trophies
Beyond the prizes and podium finishes, Lagos Free Zone officials emphasised a deeper purpose behind the Tolaram Science Challenge. Chief Sustainability Officer Vishal Shah stressed that the initiative actively works to improve education quality across the Ibeju-Lekki axis. Additionally, Shah pointed out that over the past 10 years, the competition has consistently improved student performance in qualifying examinations.
Ladoja also encouraged all participants to see the experience as more than a quest for a trophy. Instead, she urged students to value the personal growth the competition nurtures — confidence, problem-solving, teamwork, and self-discovery.
“Whether you receive a prize today or not, the knowledge you gain, the friendships you build and the experience you take away will remain with you for life,” she said.
Olakunle Fadumiye, the visioner behind the Tolaram Science Challenge, shared the same sentiment. He revealed that the core intent of the competition is to send participants back to their schools as ambassadors of excellence and possibility — regardless of whether they placed on the podium or not.
This philosophy aligns with global best practices in youth STEM development. According to UNESCO’s data on STEM education, competitions that blend academic rigor with personal development produce the strongest long-term outcomes for students. Nigeria’s growing culture of secondary school science contests reflects this global trend in a very local, impactful way.
What This Win Means for Iwerekun and Ibeju-Lekki
Iwerekun Community Senior High School’s third consecutive title is no accident. It signals consistent preparation, dedicated teachers, and a school culture that values academic excellence. Consequently, the school now holds a unique place in the history of the Tolaram Science Challenge.
For the Ibeju-Lekki community, the competition has clearly become more than an annual event. It is, as Lagos Free Zone leaders describe it, a living investment in the region’s future. Each edition produces a fresh crop of young people who think critically, compete confidently, and dream bigger. That, ultimately, is the most lasting prize of all.
The Lagos Free Zone continues to run this competition as part of its broader commitment to education and community development in its host communities.
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