ONDO GOVT EMPOWERS 200 WOMEN AS FIRST BATCH OF O’DATIWA SKILL-UP INITIATIVE GRADUATES

L-R: Tomi Ogunlesi, Divisional Head, Brands, Communications, Content and CSR, Interswitch; David Solomonezemma, Second Runner-up; Saint Riman, Winner; Dr. Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications, Interswitch Group; Oladapo Ojo, Founder/GMD, DM Holdings Ltd; David Okorie, First Runner-up; and Yemisi Owonubi, Head, Masterbrand, Communications and CSR, Interswitch, during the grand finale of the 7th edition of the InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition held in Lagos recently.

 

Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, has announced the winners of the seventh edition of its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, InterswitchSPAK National Science Competition, reinforcing its commitment to advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in Nigeria.

Widely regarded as Nigeria’s largest STEM competition for senior secondary school students, the 2025/2026 edition of InterswitchSPAK concluded after months of rigorous nationwide assessments, problem-solving challenges, and competitive stages that attracted over 18,000 registered participants from across the country.

At the grand finale held in Lagos, 16-year-old Saint Riman of Adedokun International Schools, Ota, Ogun State, emerged as the overall winner and was crowned Nigeria’s Best STEM Student, receiving a ₦15 million scholarship.

David Okorie of Caleb International College, Magodo, Lagos State, secured the First Runner-Up position with a ₦10 million scholarship, while David Solomonezemma of Deeper Life High School, Enugu State, emerged as Second Runner-Up, winning a ₦5 million scholarship. All three winners also received brand-new laptops and other exciting prizes.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Dr. Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications, Interswitch Group, commended the students for their discipline, resilience, and exceptional intellectual performance.

“InterswitchSPAK was created to inspire and reward excellence in STEM education while equipping young Africans with the skills to solve real-world problems. These winners have demonstrated remarkable promise, and by supporting their education, we are reaffirming our belief in the power of young people to shape Africa’s future through innovation and science,” she said.

Beyond the top three winners, other finalists were also rewarded with laptops and cash prizes for outstanding performance. Teachers of the finalists were equally recognised and rewarded, underscoring Interswitch’s belief in the critical role educators play in nurturing talent and sustaining academic excellence.

Now in its seventh year, InterswitchSPAK has evolved into a nationally respected platform for discovering, developing, and empowering the next generation of scientists, engineers, technologists, and innovators. The initiative continues to serve as a pipeline for academic excellence, innovation, and problem-solving, particularly among Nigerian youths.

Through InterswitchSPAK, the company has demonstrated how strategic private sector investment in education can drive national development, reward merit, and prepare young Nigerians to compete confidently on the global stage.

The successful conclusion of InterswitchSPAK 7.0 once again highlights Interswitch’s leadership in championing STEM education as a catalyst for socio-economic growth, innovation, and Africa’s digital future.