Abuja witnessed a burst of colour and talent as Stardust Media Services Limited hosted the maiden edition of the Children’s Creativity Carnival — an event designed to celebrate imagination, innovation, and nutrition among young Nigerians.

Held under the theme “Igniting Creativity, Innovation and Nutrition for Young Minds in Nigeria,” the exhibition brought together more than 1,000 children from schools across the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states. The carnival served as a platform for young participants to showcase technical skills, creative inventions, and knowledge of healthy living.

The Chief Executive Officer of Stardust Media Services, Queen Irene Onwuka, said the initiative was conceived to inspire children to think boldly and engage meaningfully with creativity and wellness.“This carnival was created to help children express their talents, display inventive ideas, and embrace nutritional awareness,” she said. “We wanted to give them a stage where imagination meets opportunity.”

The day’s activities featured a blend of cultural dance performances, traditional food exhibitions, innovation showcases, and a creative match-past reflecting Nigeria’s cultural richness and youthful potential. The event also culminated in an award ceremony honouring outstanding young innovators.

In the creativity category, Igbabee Terkuma of Philips St. Dominik School, Makurdi, Benue State emerged overall winner, receiving a ₦1 million cash prize. The first runner-up, Chukwuma Miracle of JSS Kuje Central, Abuja, won ₦500,000 in the nutrition category, while Isaac Oluwatobiloba Faloye took home ₦300,000 after excelling in innovation.

According to the organisers, the competition aims to encourage children to harness their potential in digital technology, creativity, and healthy living — areas considered vital for Nigeria’s future development.

Expressing satisfaction with the outcome, Queen Irene Onwuka commended the children, parents, and teachers who took part in the event. She described the carnival as a milestone in promoting holistic child development.“We are proud to see Nigerian children think creatively, eat healthily, and dream boldly,” she said. “This is more than a competition — it is a movement to nurture the next generation of innovators who will build a vibrant and productive nation.”

The event drew an impressive line-up of dignitaries from both the public and private sectors, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Niger State SUBEB, and the Ministries of Agriculture and Science and Technology. Officials from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on School Feeding were also in attendance.

Participants and observers alike hailed the carnival as a refreshing initiative that celebrates learning, creativity, and wellness in equal measure. By giving children a stage to express their talents, Stardust Media Services has, according to organisers, opened new pathways for nurturing curiosity, confidence, and innovation among Nigeria’s youngest minds.