Innovation, intellect, and ingenuity were on full display as students from Victory Science College, Ikeja, emerged champions at the highly competitive Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) Science Challenge held this past weekend. The event, which took place at the Lagos Free Zone complex in Lekki, gathered over 30 schools from across Lagos State, each presenting original solutions to some of Nigeria’s most pressing environmental and technological issues.
Now in its third edition, the LFZ Science Challenge is fast becoming a cornerstone for promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education among Nigerian secondary school students. This year’s theme, “Innovating for a Sustainable Future”, pushed participants to explore practical, scalable solutions around clean energy, environmental conservation, and technology-enabled problem solving.
The winning project by Victory Science College a solar-powered water purification system designed for use in underserved rural communities was hailed by judges as a “brilliant intersection of science and social impact.” Built with locally sourced materials and designed to be low-cost and maintenance-friendly, the prototype aims to address both water scarcity and energy access issues in off-grid areas.
“Our students not only demonstrated technical skill, but also a strong sense of social responsibility,” said Mrs. Bose Adediran, the school’s science coordinator. “Their success today is a result of months of hands-on learning, teamwork, and late nights in the school lab. We couldn’t be prouder.”
The competition’s panel of judges comprising engineers, environmental scientists, and educators commended the overall quality of entries, noting a marked improvement in project depth and originality compared to previous editions.
“This year’s projects reflect the growing maturity and ambition of our student innovators,” said Mr. Michael Ogundipe, spokesperson for the Lagos Free Zone Company. “They’re not just building science fair models; they’re tackling real-world challenges with real solutions.”
Aside from the first-place trophy, Victory Science College was awarded ₦1 million in scholarships, modern laboratory equipment, and a six-month mentorship program facilitated by engineers from LFZ partner firms. Runners-up, including Queensfield Girls’ High School, Surulere, and Rising Hope Academy, Epe, also received cash prizes and learning resources to support their STEM programs.
LFZC Managing Director, Dinesh Rathi, emphasized the broader significance of the initiative. “As Nigeria continues to grow as a knowledge economy, investing in science education at the grassroots level is crucial. Competitions like this create a platform where students can imagine, invent, and implement solutions that could shape our future.”
The day concluded with an interactive tour of the Lagos Free Zone, where students explored industrial facilities and engaged with experts across various engineering disciplines. For many, it was their first exposure to how science translates from classroom theory to large-scale application.
As the event wrapped up, one student from the winning team, 16-year-old Joshua Ibe, summed up the experience: “This has shown us that we can make a difference, even as students. We came here with an idea and now, we’re leaving with a vision.”
source: thenationonlineng.net
