Governor Mbah Rewards Enugu Student Who Won Gold at International STEM Olympiad

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has honoured 13-year-old Chimdiebube Onwubiko, an international STEM Olympiad gold medalist, with a cash reward of ₦2 million in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement.

Onwubiko, a JSS 3 student of Evergreen College, Enugu, won a gold medal in Mathematics and a silver medal in Science in the Grades 9–11 category at the International STEM Olympiad held in Rome, Italy, where students from 54 countries competed.

Receiving the young scholar at the Government House in Enugu on Monday, Governor Mbah described the feat as a source of pride for the state, commending Onwubiko, his teachers and Evergreen Schools for their commitment to academic excellence.

"We are so proud of you and your teachers," the governor said, urging the student to remain focused and continue pursuing greater achievements.

Mbah reaffirmed his administration's commitment to improving access to quality education through strategic investments and partnerships, noting that the state's Smart Green Schools initiative is aimed at providing world-class learning opportunities for every child, regardless of location.

During the reception, the governor engaged the young champion in a friendly conversation, describing him as "a magician" in Mathematics and asking about the secret behind his success and future ambitions.

Responding, Onwubiko attributed his accomplishments to discipline, hard work, a passion for academic competitions and the inspiration he receives from his high-performing classmates. He stressed that while teachers play an important role, students must also remain committed to excellence through consistent effort and dedication.

Speaking on behalf of the school, the Chief Executive Officer of Evergreen Schools, Barrister Doris Chinedu-Okoro, described the international success as a reflection of the institution's culture of academic excellence and rigorous preparation, expressing confidence that its students would continue to excel on the global stage.

Onwubiko's Mathematics teacher, Chisom Unachukwu, also credited the student's success to years of deliberate preparation, resilience and determination, noting that he confidently competed against older contestants during the Olympiad.

In recognition of the achievement, Governor Mbah announced cash rewards of ₦2 million to Chimdiebube Onwubiko, ₦2 million to his Mathematics teacher, Chisom Unachukwu, and ₦1 million to Evergreen Schools for nurturing the young scholar's exceptional talent.

The reception was attended by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ndubueze Mbah; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Delivery, Ozirumba Afigbo; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Mainstream Media, Dan Nwomeh; the General Manager of Afia TV, Nnamdi Obanya; Afia TV Chief Correspondent, Nathalie Ukwu; Afia Radio Manager, Orji Nwachukwu; alongside school officials and members of the student's entourage.