Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has once again reaffirmed its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading centres of academic excellence and innovation as its students recorded remarkable victories at two major national competitions — the SMART Challenge Grand Finale and the STEM Best Brains University Duel 2026.

At the recently concluded SMART Challenge Grand Finale held in May 2026, OAU students emerged champions after competing against top universities across the country in technology-driven solution presentations aimed at addressing pressing global and societal challenges. The competition featured innovative projects across several categories including EdTech, HealthTech, CleanTech, and PropTech.

The SMART Challenge attracted participation from notable Nigerian tertiary institutions including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Covenant University (CU), Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), University of Ibadan (UI), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Yaba College of Education, among others.

This latest achievement comes shortly after OAU was crowned champion of the STEM Best Brains University Duel 2026, an annual academic and analytical competition widely regarded as the “Battle of the Best Brains” among Nigerian universities.

In the grand finale of the competition, OAU defeated the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) with an impressive scoreline of 107 to 62, demonstrating exceptional brilliance, analytical reasoning, scientific knowledge, and critical thinking abilities.

The consecutive victories underscore the quality of students produced by Obafemi Awolowo University and reflect the institution’s enduring commitment to excellence in scholarship, innovation, research, and problem-solving.

Members of the University community have continued to celebrate the students for their outstanding representation and for further elevating the prestige of the University on the national stage.