Lagos School Wins Free Zone’s 10th Science Challenge

Iwerekun Community Senior High School, Ibeju-Lekki, has emerged winner of the 10th edition of the Tolaram Science Challenge (TSC), securing its third consecutive victory in the annual competition.

The school defeated Magbon-Alade Senior Grammar School in a keenly contested grand finale held in Lagos.

Sponsored by Lagos Free Zone, the Tolaram Science Challenge is an annual STEM-based competition designed to promote scientific learning, innovation and problem-solving among secondary school students in the Ibeju-Lekki axis.

The 10th edition featured 16 secondary schools, with each institution represented by six students who competed in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and General Knowledge.

Ibeju Senior High School, Lekki, and Community Senior High School, Lekki, finished third and fourth, respectively, while Nyong Jebson, Adekunle Ephraim and Ashikodi Chukwu emerged first, second and third in the individual student category. The top-performing students received cash prizes.

Speaking at the grand finale, Director, Zone Development, Lagos Free Zone, Binay Saraf, who represented the company’s chief executive officer, Adesuwa Ladoja, described the 10-year milestone of the competition as a significant achievement.

Saraf said the initiative, which started as a modest programme, had grown into one of Lagos Free Zone’s flagship corporate social responsibility projects, providing students with opportunities to develop curiosity, critical thinking and innovation skills.

“Over the past decade, we have seen this event grow in scale, participation and impact. Each year, more schools, more students and more teachers have joined us on this journey of discovery and learning,” Ladoja said.

Also speaking, firector and chief sustainability officer, Lagos Free Zone, Vishal Shah, said the organisation remained committed to improving education standards in the Ibeju-Lekki area through the competition.

The visioner of the Tolaram Science Challenge, Olakunle Fadumiye, said the competition was established in 2016 to inspire students to pursue science-related careers and create greater educational opportunities within the community.

Fadumiye urged Lagos Free Zone to provide more opportunities for TSC alumni through industrial training programmes, internships and National Youth Service Corps placements within the zone to enable them to gain practical workplace experience.

Deputy director, Schools Support Unit, Education District 3, Ikoyi, Lagos, Olubunmi Ajibola-Morebise, commended Lagos Free Zone and Tolaram for sustaining the initiative, noting that it had improved reading culture and encouraged academic excellence among students and teachers.

A total of 32 students were also awarded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scholarships for their outstanding performances in the competition.

Receiving the trophy on behalf of Iwerekun Community Senior High School, team captain Fawaz Alayo attributed the victory to the dedication of teachers and the support provided by the school management.