US-based Nigerian gifts STEM Olympiad gold medallists N1m

Dr. Michael Taiwo, a Nigerian hydrogen specialist based in the United States, has generously rewarded three young Nigerian students with ₦1 million for their gold medal achievements at the International STEM Olympiad in Rome, Italy.

The students, Chimdiebube Onwubiko, Don Anele Munachimso, and Egejurum Onyedikachi, represented Nigeria and clinched a total of four gold medals across mathematics and science categories. The competition, held at the Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, featured participants from over 150 countries.

Taiwo, upon learning of the students' success through education advocate Alex Onyia, promptly pledged the reward on X (formerly Twitter). He later fulfilled his promise, with the payment confirmed by community advocate Innocent Chukwudubem. Taiwo's gesture, described as "promise made, promise kept," highlights his commitment to fostering educational excellence.

“

This is an impressive achievement. Congratulations. I will be gifting these lads with 1M. Please DM me the bank details.

The three medalists, aged 11, 13, and 17, qualified for the Rome finale after excelling in the Southeast Mathematics Olympiad, a regional competition organized and personally sponsored by Onyia. Onyia covered all expenses for their trip to Italy, including registration, visas, flights, and accommodation.

Dr. Taiwo, who holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arkansas and works as a senior hydrogen specialist at Shell USA, founded the Michael Taiwo Scholarships in 2019. This program supports academically gifted but financially disadvantaged students from developing countries pursuing graduate studies abroad, having received tens of thousands of applications.

“

Promise made, promise kept. I am here to announce that Dr Michael Taiwo has fulfilled his promise of supporting the STEM Olympiad lads with the 1M. Doc na talk and do. Thank you sir. Thank you (Onyia) for your sacrifice and commitment to ISEE project.