The much-anticipated University Duel and Smart Challenge 2024 kicked off this week, bringing together the brightest minds from 16 Nigerian universities to showcase their expertise in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
The competition, which blends academic knowledge with real-world problem-solving, provides Nigerian undergraduates with a platform to demonstrate their skills in both theoretical and practical applications of STEM.
Speaking on Sunday, CEO of Foothold Advisors and a key consultant for the event, the University Duel and Smart Challenge, Dr Ore Sofekun, said the competition aimed to inspire students to use their academic learning to address societal challenges through innovative technology.
“The University Duel and Smart Challenge consist of two key parts: The first focuses on testing students’ knowledge in STEM subjects, such as mathematics, data analytics, verbal reasoning, and general knowledge. The second part challenges them to apply what they’ve learned by solving real-world problems using technology. This is not just about competition, but about empowering students to see how they can use their education for the betterment of society.”
She revealed that the process of selecting participants for the competition began earlier this year.
She added, “50 Nigerian universities participated in the selection, where students took a national computer-based test. The top-performing students were ranked and grouped into four categories: premier universities, federal universities, state universities, and private universities.
“The students are now facing off in a quiz competition over the next few days.”
Sofekun described the quiz as “highly competitive,” with contestants being tested on a range of subjects, saying they have to be quick on the buzzer and accurate with their answers as the competition would be intense, and only the best will make it through.”
She explained that in addition to the quiz, students had been tasked with a critical challenge; identifying a problem in their local community and proposing a solution using technology.
She added, “Each university team has already submitted their business plans, which will be reviewed by a panel of judges. The top three universities will advance to the next stage, where they will have three months to develop and refine their proposed solutions.”
Sofekun shared the timeline for the competition, “The quarter-finals will be recorded on Friday, and the final stages of the quiz and the Smart Challenge will culminate in a grand finale scheduled for February or March 2025. The top three teams will then return to pitch their refined solutions.”
CEO of Innovia Labs and one of the mentors and judges for the competition, Durojaiye Phillips, underscored the importance of practical solutions. “Nigeria faces a myriad of challenges, and the solutions proposed by these students should be practical, relevant, and scalable,” Phillips remarked.
He added that these solutions, if successful, could have a significant impact on Nigeria’s economy and society.
Phillips also highlighted the need for greater investment in STEM fields to ensure that young graduates have the opportunities to apply their knowledge in Nigeria.
“There’s a lack of investment in STEM in Nigeria,” he said. “With more investments in STEM industries, we can create jobs and build industries that are essential to Nigeria’s growth. For example, a chemical engineer can stay in Nigeria and help produce drugs, an aeronautical engineer can develop aircraft for the Nigerian market, and a mechanical engineer can contribute to local manufacturing.”
He also called on the government to create policies that encourage STEM companies to establish themselves in Nigeria, which would, in turn, create job opportunities for the graduates. “The future of STEM in Nigeria lies in creating the right policies to attract businesses and support these fields,” Phillips concluded.
The schools in Group one are the University of Lagos, University of Ilorin, Bells University, and Federal University of Technology Akure; Group Two, Veritas University, Lagos State University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, and Obafemi Awolowo University.
Group three are Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, University of Nigeria Nsuka, University of Port Harcourt, and Covenant University
Group four are Kaduna State University, Achievers University, University of Benin, and Yaba College of Technology.