Competitions: STEM Africa honours 3 FUTA students first runner-up winners

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has been formally recognised as the Runner-Up of UniversityDUEL 2026, Nigeria’s premier STEM undergraduate competition, at a prize presentation ceremony held in their honour.

The recognition crowns a remarkable season in which FUTA’s three representatives; Faith Alabetutu, Matthew Ogundinwin and Akinola Olayinka went unbeaten through five rounds of competition before bowing to an outstanding Obafemi Awolowo University in the Grand Finale on April 19, 2026.

The STEM Africa Initiative team led by Oladapo Ojo, the founder and consultant, Ore Sofekun, while speaking on Wednesday at the campus of the institution said out of 62 universities and 1,548 STEM undergraduates that entered the competition nationwide, FUTA finished second. A result that reflects the extraordinary caliber of their students and the strength of STEM education at the institution.

According to them, FUTA’s first appearance in UniversityDUEL 2026 was on the 7th of February in their opening preliminary match, where they faced UNILAG, the team that had topped the CBT qualifying phase. FUTA won with a commanding 52–15 victory.

“Two weeks later, on February 21, they turned their attention to EKSU and delivered an even more emphatic statement, winning 65–8, a 57-point gap that proved their relentless momentum.

“On March 15, they completed their preliminary games with a 44–28 victory over UNIBEN, advancing to the quarter-finals with a perfect 3-0 record.

“The quarter-final on March 22 against LAUTECH was the season’s most nerve-shredding contest for the FUTA team. LAUTECH had strategised their way into the knockouts and refused to yield. FUTA prevailed by just two points, 37 to 35.

“The semi-final on April 4 against UNN was an outstanding match. Predictions had suggested a close game, but FUTA produced arguably their finest performance of the season, racing to a 106–48 victory in an absolutely outstanding display that sent the nation into a frenzy and confirmed their place in the Grand Finale.

“On April 19, 2026, before a national television audience on Africa Magic Family (DSTV Channel 154) and YouTube @thestemafrica, FUTA faced Obafemi Awolowo University in the Grand Finale of University Duel 2026. Their opponents had been equally dominant throughout the season, and the contest lived up to its billing as the Battle of the Best Brains.

“Though the result was not in FUTA’s favour, their campaign, five wins from five, a 106-point semi-final, and a fearless run through the bracket, earned them the admiration and respect of the entire nation,” Ojo and Sofekun said.

Ojo, who presented the runners-up prize to the FUTA’s three representatives said the ceremony marks the formal recognition of FUTA’s outstanding achievement in UniversityDUEL 2026.

He said the project was supported by partners, including MTN, whose continued commitment to education and innovation helps drive the growth of STEM initiatives across Nigeria.

Kiyeah Ushi, the MTN Nigeria representative, who also spoke at the ceremony said; “we believe everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. That belief drives our work in expanding digital access and supporting education through practical tools and resources.

“FUTA students have shown discipline, creativity, and courage. These are the qualities that will shape your next steps and we will keep supporting platforms like University Duel that help you move forward and reach your goals.

“We are proud to stand with University Duel on this initiative. It reflects something we care deeply about giving young people real opportunities to grow, compete, and succeed.”

The FUTA Vice-Chancellor, Adenike Oladiji, who spoke at the event through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Taiwo Amos said the institution have trained a large numbers of students to uphold the spirit and tradition of excellence and integrity of the university wherever they found themselves in the country.

She, therefore, appreciated the STEM Africa Initiative team and MTN for the recognition.

BusinessDay reports that the three recipients awards; Faith Alabetutu, Olayinka Akinola and Matthew Ogundiwin, got the amount of N1.5million prizes.