St. Gregory's College has been crowned winner of the 2026 Helmbridge Science Challenge, defeating St. Finbarr's College 3-2 in the final held on Saturday. The victory earned the school N500,000 in prize money, while St. Finbarr's, as first runner-up, received N300,000. Penny International College finished second runner-up and was awarded N200,000. WhiteSands School, last year's champion, placed fourth. The competition, organised by Helmbridge Study Centre, featured secondary school students from across Lagos State competing in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and General Knowledge through a multi-week knockout format.
Wilfried Dieke, director at Helmbridge Study Centre, said the challenge is designed to test more than academic knowledge. "The challenge tests students' listening abilities, critical thinking, attention to detail, teamwork, and resilience under pressure," Dieke said, noting the determination shown by participants. Njemanze Anthony, 15, captain of St. Gregory's College, attributed the win to preparation and teamwork. "We prepared very hard and worked together as a team. I believe we were better prepared than before," he said.
Ugonna Achebe of GuidED Initiatives, a nonprofit focused on mentorship and career development, announced plans to support the upcoming 50th anniversary of the competition through sponsorship and teacher recognition initiatives. "We need to help students understand who they are and what opportunities exist for them," Achebe said, referencing his organisation's Career Guidance Platform. Oyewole Kushimo, a former participant and now a consultant cardiologist, said the competition helped instill discipline and a habit of reading beyond the curriculum, skills he continues to use professionally. Organisers are calling for increased corporate sponsorship to expand prizes and support for teachers ahead of the anniversary edition.
Wilfried Dieke says the challenge builds resilience and critical thinking, yet the same skills are not reflected in the competition's unchanged format over recent editions. St. Gregory's victory shows preparation pays, but WhiteSands' drop from first to fourth suggests even champions can falter without sustained investment. The call for more corporate sponsorship reveals organisers are relying on goodwill rather than a sustainable funding model. If the 50th anniversary depends on new donors, past winners may have already peaked.
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