The future of Nigeria’s education may well depend on how effectively today’s children are equipped to think critically, solve problems and innovate in an increasingly digital world. That belief came to life at the recently concluded Kidemia STEAM Awards 2026, where some of the country’s brightest young learners were recognised for academic excellence, creativity and future-ready skills.
Held in Lagos, the event brought together students, educators, parents, policymakers and industry leaders in a celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM), while highlighting the growing role of technology in transforming teaching and learning.
The awards ceremony marked the culmination of weeks of assessments conducted through Kidemia’s digital learning platform, where pupils participated in a technology-enabled Common Entrance scholarship examination designed to evaluate not only academic knowledge but also analytical thinking and digital readiness.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the announcement of the winners of the Kidemia Common Entrance Scholarship Awards. Out of 564 pupils who successfully completed the digital assessment, two pupils from Children’s Way Primary School and one pupil from Estaport Schools emerged as the overall top three winners, earning scholarships and recognition for their outstanding performance.
Their achievement drew enthusiastic applause from parents, teachers and fellow pupils, underscoring the importance of recognising academic excellence and encouraging healthy competition among young learners.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, a ministry official commended the initiative for complementing government’s efforts to improve learning outcomes and expose children to opportunities that prepare them for the future.
Also speaking at the event, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Morakinyo Akin, applauded Kidemia for creating a platform that celebrates excellence at an early stage of learning.
According to him, Nigeria’s future competitiveness will depend largely on the quality of investment made in today’s children, stressing that initiatives which encourage discipline, innovation, excellence and lifelong learning deserve the support of both the public and private sectors.
Participants also benefited from an engaging panel discussion featuring Dr. Ronke Adeniyi (RonkePosh), Joshua Agboola (JoshforTech), Agomeze Saint, and Shehu Zubairu, who challenged the students to dream beyond conventional career paths and embrace leadership, creativity and resilience.
The panellists encouraged the young audience to see education as more than preparation for examinations, urging them instead to become problem-solvers capable of creating solutions for their communities and the nation.
Throughout the event, students participated in interactive learning sessions that demonstrated the value of collaboration, communication and critical thinking alongside academic achievement.
Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Ruth Adaeze Zubairu, Founder of Kidemia, said the awards were established to redefine how educational excellence is recognised in Nigeria.
“Our vision is to raise a generation of confident, innovative and technologically empowered young people who are prepared to compete globally while solving local challenges,” she said. “Every child possesses unique potential, and our responsibility is to provide opportunities that help them discover and develop it.”
She explained that Kidemia was created as an education technology platform that enables schools, teachers and parents to monitor learning outcomes through digital assessments, performance analytics and future skills programmes, while making learning more engaging and measurable.
As conversations around artificial intelligence and digital transformation continue to reshape education globally, the Kidemia STEAM Awards demonstrated how technology can be harnessed to identify talent, reward excellence and inspire the next generation of innovators.
Beyond the trophies and scholarships presented, the event served as a reminder that the country’s greatest asset remains its young people. With the right investment, mentorship and opportunities, they can become the scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, educators and leaders who will shape Nigeria’s future.
For many of the children who walked across the stage to receive recognition, the ceremony marked more than the end of a competition. It was the beginning of a journey, one that affirmed that hard work, curiosity and excellence are qualities worthy of celebration.
