Interswitch has announced the 27 exceptional students who have advanced to the semi-finals of the 7th edition of InterswitchSPAK. This flagship national science competition serves as a premier platform for identifying and nurturing the next generation of innovators in Nigeria.
The semi-finalists were selected from a pool of 81 students during the preliminary stages. This group originally emerged from over 18,000 entries representing more than 2,000 secondary schools across the country.
The top 27 students represent a diverse range of states across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Abuja, Niger, Enugu, Abia, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Anambra. This broad geographic reach highlights Interswitch’s commitment to providing equal opportunities and promoting gender inclusion in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.
InterswitchSPAK is designed to do more than test textbook knowledge. The competition evaluates students on their speed and accuracy, with a specific focus on their ability to think quickly under pressure. It also tests critical problem-solving skills by requiring students to apply science to real-world challenges. Additionally, the program assesses innovation by encouraging the development of solutions with global relevance.
“InterswitchSPAK is more than a competition; it is a deliberate investment in the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders,” said Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications at Interswitch.
The competition offers life-changing rewards to support the university education of these young prodigies. The overall winner will receive a ₦15 million tertiary scholarship spread over five years, along with a laptop and monthly stipends. The first runner-up will be awarded a ₦10 million scholarship for three years and a laptop. Additionally, the second runner-up will receive a ₦5 million scholarship for one year, along with a laptop.