Two students of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Ayeni Stephen Olakunle (Biochemistry) and Ajayi Oluwalana Victor ( Biotechnology) have emerged winners of the 2025 National Quiz Competition of the Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology (NISEB).
FUTA edged out Covenant University and Mountain Top University, the two other finalists to emerge the best out of the lot. The three Universities qualified for the final after edging out about 12 other universities in three previous preliminary rounds.
The event which started a few months ago, saw Team FUTA scaling through the preliminary stages up to the final and clinching the Gold medal.The final competition was held on April 4, 2025. The prizes were presented to FUTA during the opening ceremony of the annual conference of the Society at the Southern Delta University, Ozoro on April 9,2025.
At the presentation of the First Place Shield and Certificates to the Vice Chancellor , Professor Adenike Oladiji on Wednesday April 23,2025,the Head of Biochemistry Department, Professor Clement Akinmoladun , who also doubled as the Chapter coordinator, said the students displayed commitment to the competition from the start to the finish, in spite of the rigorous demands of their academic work in FUTA and ongoing examination.
Corroborating the HOD, the Dean, School of Life Sciences, Professor Michael Ashamo said the competition was very keen with many Nigerian universities taking part. He said “this achievement is a credit to FUTA. I commend our students for displaying excellence at the competition to make us proud. We hope to defend it in the next edition by the grace of God.”
Receiving the award, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji said “FUTA has become an household name among Nigerian universities. I can beat my chest any where that FUTA is ‘people-panic’ because we came into the competition barely a year after joining NISEB. So, we came in as a giant and I can boast that whatever we do, we put in a lot of energy.”
She commended the students for attaining the feat and prayed that they will go higher in life. “Continue to put yourselves forward for future opportunities. Always display your talents. The world is not for the timid. Put yourselves up as champions all the time. Futarians (staff and students) have potentials and our radar is on you to monitor and encourage you for future excellent attainments.”
She commended the Dean of the School of Life Sciences, Professor Ashamo and HoD, Biochemistry, Professor Akinmoladun for their commitments towards excellence, adding that the award will be well celebrated in all university events.
FUTA started the competition with Ayeni Stephen Olakunle, Ajayi Victor Oluwalana and Raji Faridat Mobolaji before the organisers asked competing institutions to field two competitors in subsequent rounds.
Team FUTA
(Three students were allowed for the first round but only two were allowed for subsequent rounds)
First round
Ayeni, Stephen Olakunle (Department of Biochemistry)
Ajayi, Oluwalana Victor (Department of Biotechnology)
Raji, Faridat Mobolaji (Department of Biology)
Subsequent rounds
Ayeni, Stephen Olakunle (Department of Biochemistry)
Ajayi, Oluwalana Victor (Department of Biotechnology)
Chapter Coordinator
Prof. Afolabi Clement Akinmoladun (HOD, BCH and Chairman, NISEB, FUTA Chapter)
The Road to the Final
This year’s competition has a total of 14 participating schools:
Nigerian Army University Biu, Borno State
Southwestern University
Delta State University of Science and Technology
Bells University of Technology, Ota
Olusegun Agagu University
Lagos State University
Mountain Top University
Covenant University
Babcock University
University of Ilorin
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba
Federal University of Technology, Akure
Taraba State University, Jalingo
Bayelsa Medical University
After the First Round of the competition which commenced on Monday, January 27, 2025,
Lagos State University
Mountain Top University
Taraba State University
Federal University of Technology, Akure
University of Ilorin
Bells University of Technology, Ota
Bayelsa Medical University
Covenant University
Olusegun Agagu University
Delta State University of Science and Technology
Babcock University
Qualified for the Second Round.
Second Round Showdown
The second round took place on Monday, February 24, and Friday, February 28, 2025, with only 4 schools qualifying for the next round, namely:
1. Covenant University
2. Olusegun Agagu University
3. Mountain Top University
4. Federal University of Technology, Akure
Third Round Face-Off
The four schools participated in the third round held on Monday, March 17, 2025 where the three finalists emerged .
The three finalists that emerged were:
Covenant University,
Mountain Top University, and
The Federal University of Technology, Akure.
April 4,2025
Gold Medal And First Position
Federal University of Technology Akure FUTA
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