Annually, over fifty Nigerian Universities compete in the University Duel initiated by STEM Africa with a mission to empower Africans through STEM Education.
OAU was among the 16 universities that qualified for the TV show. Others are the University of Lagos, Covenant University, University of Benin, and Veritas University.
The annual competition focuses on critical thinking, intelligence, analytics, and problem-solving questions. Veritas University and Bells University had their first Semi-Finals on Saturday, in which Veritas University defeated Bells University to advance to the finals.
Yesterday, OAU battled with Covenant University for the second phase of the Semi-Finals. Representing OAU was Quayum Ali, a 200-level student of Electrical and Electrical Engineering with a CGPA of 4.86, Lekan Adesina, a 300-level student of Computer Science and Mathematics with a CGPA of 4.66, and Imran Ogungbayi, a 200-level student from the Department of Electrical Engineering with a CGPA of 4.83.
Covenant University was represented by Gift Chukwuma, a 300-level Computer Engineering student, Tolu Kayode, from the Department of Electrical Engineering, and Alero Afinoton, Department of Chemical Engineering.
Quayum clarified the need to increase speed and accuracy in the upcoming semi-final session. After the first session, in which both schools had a total score of 40 marks each, Joseph Edgar, one of the hosts, said OAU students seemed overwhelmed now that they had made it to the semi-finals. He said, “Above all, I see a democratization of brilliance.”
Unfortunately, during the final session, Covenant University defeated OAU with a narrow gap of 50-47. “The process has been built with a lot of integrity and transparency.” Mr. Joseph added. They applauded the efforts of both schools noting that the margin appears close.
At the end of the quiz, Quayam said that he had a series of mixed emotions, coupled with feelings of dejection. He felt overwhelmed, and making it to the finals seemed unachievable, yet glad that he could take up the challenge.