By Damilola Abiola
Forty pupils from public primary schools in Lagos State have qualified for the grand finale of the SweetThinkers Scholarship and Academic Excellence Competition, a programme designed to support exceptional children from low-income families through secondary and tertiary education.
The competition, run by the SweetThinkers Initiative, a non-governmental organisation, began with more than 2,000 pupils across the state’s 20 local government areas. Two hundred advanced to the second stage before the final 40 were selected.
The finalists include 20 pupils from Lagos West District, 10 from Lagos East and 10 from Lagos Central, organisers said.
Speaking at one of the centres in the Maryland School Complex, Ikeja, the convener of the initiative, Olufunmilayo Olaniwun, said the programme was set up to reward academic excellence and identify outstanding talent among children in public schools.
“We have bright stars, like diamonds in the rough, and what we are looking for is picking them out,” she said. “We plan to mentor them and provide support in any way we can to help them excel academically.”
Olaniwun said winners will receive scholarships covering secondary and university education, along with mentorship and cash awards. She added that the organisation would continue to provide learning resources and upgrade infrastructure in select schools.
SweetThinkers Project Manager Oluwatosin Akinola said the initiative supports efforts to improve learning outcomes in the public education system and aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education.
“This stage marks a significant milestone on the journey to the grand finale where pupils showcase their knowledge, confidence, and potential,” she said. “The competition promotes confidence, speed, excellence, and accuracy among young learners.”
A teacher from Federal Housing Estate Nursery and Primary School in Victoria Island, Bamigbade Olamilekan, praised the programme, saying it helps strengthen academic culture and motivates pupils to perform better.
Participating pupils described the contest as demanding but inspiring and urged organisers to sustain the initiative to help more students in future.