Nigeria Wins 6 Medals At 2026 Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad

Nigeria has recorded another impressive outing on the continental stage after its young mathematicians won six medals at the 2026 Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) held in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.

The achievement was announced on Tuesday by the National Mathematical Centre (NMC) in a statement signed by its Controller of Information and Public Relations, Onyekachi Njoku.

The six medals were won by four Nigerian students who represented the country at Africa’s premier mathematics competition for secondary school students.

Aghaduno Chimfimnanya emerged as one of Nigeria’s standout performers, winning two silver medals—one in the main Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) and another in the Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad for Girls (PAMO-G). Oyerinde Damaris also claimed two silver medals, securing one each in PAMO and PAMO-G.

Lius Liu added another silver medal in the main PAMO competition, while Enwere Kingsley Ikenna won a bronze medal.

Nigeria also earned a bronze medal in the PAMO-G special ranking, which recognises the highest-performing female contestants based on the same examination papers and marking scheme used for the main competition.

According to the NMC, the students qualified to represent Nigeria after emerging successful through a fair and transparent selection process during the Nigerian National Mathematical Sciences Olympiad organised by the Centre.

The Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad is organised annually by the African Mathematical Union (AMU) through its Commission on the Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad (AMUPAMOC). It brings together six secondary school students from each participating African country to promote excellence and innovation in mathematics across the continent. The competition also crowns the highest-performing female contestant as the African Mathematics Queen.

Reacting to the feat, Acting Director and Chief Executive of the National Mathematical Centre, Prof. Benjamin Oyelami, who led the Nigerian delegation to Côte d’Ivoire, commended the Federal Government for providing the financial support that enabled the Centre to prepare and present the students for the competition.

“The encouragement through funding by the Federal Government enabled the Centre to prepare and present the students for the competition,” he said.

Oyelami pledged that the Centre would continue to strengthen efforts to nurture young mathematical talents capable of bringing more honours to the country at international competitions.

He said the Centre remains committed “not only in adequately preparing and presenting students for the competition but in ensuring that they win more laurels for the country.”

He added that the Centre has been repositioned to improve the teaching, learning and research of mathematics and mathematical sciences across the country.

“The Centre has been repositioned for effective teaching, learning and research in Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences in an effort to ensure students perform well in these subjects at all levels of the Nigerian education system,” Oyelami said.

The latest achievement reinforces Nigeria’s strong record at continental mathematics competitions and highlights ongoing efforts to promote excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.