Students from selected secondary schools in Benin City, Edo State, have outperformed a generative artificial intelligence system in a live academic contest testing knowledge recall, reasoning, judgment, and collaborative problem-solving.
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The South-South leg of the EDAT Quiz Challenge, organised by EDATECH in partnership with the Edo State Ministry of Education and the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria, began on January 27 and will run until March 27.
The competition featured 63 secondary schools, including Idia College, Edokpolor Grammar School, Ekosodin Senior Secondary School, and Western Boys High School.
In the live contest, structured human teams competed directly against a generative AI benchmark in a scored format.
Each team, called a Human Fusion Unit, comprised two students, a teacher, and a parent, reflecting a collective approach to learning.
The contest challenged participants beyond factual recall, incorporating lateral thinking, ethical judgment, and layered problem-solving.
At the end of the live round, the AI benchmark scored 3,840 points, while Imaguero College topped the human teams with 4,984 points. Niger College followed with 3,888 points, and Uselu Secondary School scored 3,774 points.
Other strong performers included Paragon College, Ezomo College, Iyobo Girls College, and Oghede Senior Secondary School.
Founder of EDATECH, Dr. Sylvester Juwe, told The PUNCH that the initiative aims to broaden learning beyond competition. “Education is not just about winning a quiz; it’s about awakening curiosity, building confidence, and inspiring young minds to believe they can compete with the very best anywhere in the world,” he said. He added that in the AI era, true learning requires knowing when to leverage technology and when to rely on critical thinking.
Maryann Shaibu, wife of the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, presented cash prizes to the top-performing schools. She praised the initiative and encouraged students to value formal education.
“Some people are deceiving you that education is a scam, it is not, and at some point in your life, you will realise that you need education because it is what makes the difference and bridges the gap,” she said.
Speakers highlighted AI as a supportive tool, emphasizing that human judgment remains indispensable, particularly in ethical and contextual decision-making.
Participant Osarogue Emmanuel described AI as a powerful academic resource when used responsibly, adding that misuse depends on individual choices rather than the technology itself.
Notable personalities present at the event included media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, Olympic gold medallist Chioma Ajunwa, sprinter Olusoji Fasuba, and long jumper Ese Brume.
Following the contest, participating schools were assigned community-based projects addressing issues such as waste management, youth mentorship, wellbeing for young adults, and community health.
Students are expected to engage with parents, grandparents, and other community members, extending the learning experience beyond the competition venue.
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