Abia State has once again demonstrated its growing reputation as a hub for educational excellence, innovation, and technology-driven development by achieving remarkable success at the 2026 National Girls in ICT Competition. Through determination, creativity, and technical excellence, the state’s representatives emerged as champions of the South-East region and proceeded to the national grand finale, where they secured an impressive third-place finish among the best teams from across Nigeria.
The grand finale of the competition was held on Friday, June 6, 2026, at the prestigious State House Conference Centre, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, bringing together the brightest young female innovators from across the country. The event showcased the extraordinary potential of Nigerian girls in science, technology, engineering, and digital innovation while reinforcing the importance of empowering young women to become active contributors to the nation’s digital economy.
For Abia State, the competition was more than just a contest. It was a testament to the state’s commitment to investing in quality education, technology adoption, youth development, and innovation-driven learning. The achievement reflects the collective efforts of government agencies, educational institutions, technology hubs, mentors, and most importantly, the talented young girls who dedicated themselves to transforming innovative ideas into practical solutions for real-world challenges.
Team Abia during the National Girls in ICT Grand Finale at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Understanding the National Girls in ICT Initiative
The National Girls in ICT Initiative is a flagship programme designed to encourage the active participation of girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), digital innovation, and STEM-related fields. The programme targets secondary school girls between the ages of 13 and 18, providing them with opportunities to develop technical skills, creativity, leadership abilities, and entrepreneurial thinking.
Organized by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the initiative seeks to bridge the gender gap that has historically existed in technology and innovation sectors. It creates a platform where young girls can explore their interests in technology, develop innovative solutions to societal challenges, and gain exposure to emerging digital opportunities.
The 2026 edition attracted over 3,700 participants from all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), making it one of the largest editions of the programme since its inception. Participants were challenged to identify pressing problems within their communities and develop technology-driven solutions capable of creating measurable social impact.
The competition process was rigorous and highly competitive. Participating schools were required to form teams consisting of three girls and submit innovative project ideas for review. Following a detailed assessment process by the organizers, selected schools were paired with accredited innovation hubs within their respective states to undergo intensive training and mentorship programmes in preparation for the competition.
This structure ensured that participants were not only evaluated on their ideas but were also equipped with the necessary technical knowledge, presentation skills, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to transform their concepts into viable solutions.
Girls participating in practical sessions during the two-week ICT bootcamp.
Ashpot’s Role in Building Future Female Innovators
A significant part of Abia State’s success story in the competition can be attributed to the contribution of Ashpot, the designated partner innovation hub for the National Girls in ICT Programme in Abia State.
As one of the state’s leading technology and innovation organizations, Ashpot was entrusted with the responsibility of mentoring, training, and preparing selected schools for the competition. The organization coordinated an intensive two-week bootcamp that exposed participants to modern technology concepts, innovation methodologies, design thinking principles, project development techniques, and effective presentation strategies.
The bootcamp was carefully designed to help participants refine their ideas, understand problem-solving frameworks, develop prototypes, and prepare compelling pitches capable of competing at both state and national levels.
Among the schools that participated in the training programme were:
- Dority International School
- Floriman Intellectual Schools
- Greenish Secondary School
- NINLAN Secondary School
- Resonance Science School
Throughout the bootcamp, students engaged in practical learning sessions, mentorship engagements, collaborative innovation exercises, and project development workshops. They were guided by experienced technology professionals and mentors who challenged them to think critically, identify real-world problems, and develop innovative digital solutions.
Beyond preparing the students for the competition, the programme succeeded in building confidence, teamwork, leadership skills, communication abilities, and entrepreneurial thinking among the participants.
The impact of the bootcamp was evident in the quality of projects presented during the competition stages, with many teams demonstrating a deep understanding of societal challenges and proposing technology-driven solutions capable of creating meaningful change.
Ashpot facilitators mentoring participants during the bootcamp.
Level One: The State Competition
The first major stage of the competition was the Abia State-level contest, which brought together ten outstanding teams from various secondary schools across the state.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement, anticipation, and healthy competition as each team presented innovative projects addressing diverse challenges across education, healthcare, agriculture, climate resilience, community development, and social welfare.
The judging criteria focused on several key areas, including:
- Innovation and originality
- Relevance of the problem being solved
- Technical feasibility
- Social impact
- Presentation quality
- Scalability and sustainability
The participating teams impressed judges with their creativity and ability to identify practical solutions to challenges affecting their communities.
Many of the projects demonstrated a remarkable understanding of how emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, automation, and digital platforms can be leveraged to improve lives and drive development.
After a highly competitive contest, Resonance Science School emerged as the overall winner and earned the privilege of representing Abia State at the South-East Regional Competition.
Their victory was not merely a reflection of technical competence but also of their ability to communicate a compelling vision for how technology can be used to improve learning outcomes for Nigerian students.
Teams at the the Abia State competition.
Level Two: South-East Regional Competition
Having emerged victorious at the state level, Team Abia advanced to the South-East Regional Competition, where they faced champions from the five South-East states:
- Abia State
- Anambra State
- Ebonyi State
- Enugu State
- Imo State
At this stage, the level of competition intensified significantly. Each team represented the best talent from their respective states and arrived prepared to showcase innovative solutions capable of competing on a national scale.
The regional contest provided a platform for participants to demonstrate not only technical innovation but also strategic thinking, presentation skills, and a clear understanding of the impact their solutions could create.
Team Abia delivered an exceptional presentation that captivated both judges and audience members. Their project stood out for its relevance, innovation, practical application, and potential impact within Nigeria’s educational system.
At the conclusion of the regional contest, Team Abia emerged as the South-East Regional Champion outperforming all other participating states.
This victory was a defining moment for the team and for Abia State as a whole. It reinforced the state’s growing reputation as a center for educational innovation and technological excellence while earning the team a place among the six regional champions that would compete at the national grand finale.
Level Three: The National Grand Finale
The national grand finale represented the highest stage of the competition and brought together regional champions from across Nigeria.
Hosted at the State House Conference Centre within Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, the event attracted government officials, technology leaders, educators, industry stakeholders, innovation experts, and development partners committed to advancing digital inclusion and STEM education.
For the finalists, it was an opportunity to showcase their innovations before a national audience and compete against the best young female innovators in the country.
The presentations were inspiring and demonstrated the remarkable talent, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities of Nigerian girls.
Following extensive evaluation by the judging panel, the final results were announced:
- Special Education Centre, Bauchi State – First Place
- Federal Government Girls College, Cross River State – Second Place
- Resonance Science School, Abia State – Third Place
Finishing third among thousands of participants nationwide was a remarkable achievement for Resonance Science School and a source of immense pride for Abia State.
The finalists received cash prizes, high-performance laptops, and access to mentorship opportunities designed to support their continued growth as innovators and future technology leaders.
More importantly, they gained national recognition and exposure that will undoubtedly inspire many other young girls to pursue careers in technology and innovation.
Team Abia presenting their innovations at the national Finals
Spotlight on Team Resonance and the SURELEARN Innovation
At the heart of Abia State’s success story is Team Resonance, a group of exceptionally talented young innovators comprising:
- Daniel Ezinne Comfort
- Ibe Chidalu Favour
- Declan Bethel Chidiebube
The team arrived at the competition with a bold vision and a strong commitment to addressing one of the most significant challenges in education today: student engagement and personalized learning.
Their innovation, known as SURELEARN, is an Artificial Intelligence-powered learning platform specifically designed for Nigerian students.
SURELEARN introduces an intelligent attention detection system capable of monitoring learner engagement in real time. By analyzing student attention levels and learning patterns, the platform adapts educational content and delivery methods to suit the individual needs of each learner.
This personalized learning approach ensures that students receive educational experiences tailored to their pace, comprehension level, and engagement status.
The solution addresses a critical issue in traditional classroom environments, where teachers often struggle to accurately assess the attention and understanding levels of large numbers of students simultaneously.
By leveraging Artificial Intelligence, SURELEARN aims to improve learning outcomes, enhance student engagement, and create more effective educational experiences.
The judges commended the project for its innovation, relevance, practical application, and potential impact on Nigeria’s education sector.
The success of SURELEARN demonstrates that young Nigerians are not only capable of consuming technology but are equally capable of creating transformative solutions capable of addressing local and global challenges.
Team Resonance demonstrating the SURELEARN platform.
Celebrating Excellence and Inspiring the Future
The competition concluded with a prestigious award dinner attended by distinguished guests, government officials, technology leaders, and development partners.
The event was graced by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who served as the Special Guest of Honour.
The evening celebrated not only the winners but also the determination, creativity, and resilience displayed by all participants throughout the competition journey.
It was a powerful reminder of the immense potential that exists within Nigeria’s young population and the importance of creating opportunities that allow them to thrive.
The presence of policymakers and industry leaders further highlighted the growing recognition of digital innovation as a key driver of national development.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, addressing participants and guests.
A Victory for Abia State
The achievements recorded by Team Abia represent far more than a competition result. They reflect years of investment in education, innovation, youth empowerment, and technology development.
Under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, Abia State has continued to demonstrate a strong commitment to creating opportunities that prepare young people for success in the digital age.
The state’s investment in educational reform, STEM education, digital skills development, and innovation ecosystems is already producing measurable results, as evidenced by the outstanding performance of its students on national platforms.
This achievement also highlights the importance of partnerships between government, schools, technology hubs, and private sector organizations in nurturing future innovators.
The collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the Abia State Government, participating schools, and Ashpot demonstrates how strategic partnerships can create life-changing opportunities for young people.
Conclusion
The 2026 National Girls in ICT Competition will be remembered as a landmark achievement for Abia State and a defining moment in the lives of the young innovators who proudly represented the state.
From the intensive bootcamp sessions to the state competition, from the regional championship to the national grand finale at Aso Rock Villa, Team Resonance exemplified excellence, determination, innovation, and resilience.
Their third-place national finish stands as evidence that Abia State possesses the talent, capacity, and vision necessary to compete and excel at the highest levels.
As aptly stated by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s digital future cannot be built by half of its population alone—it must be built by everyone.
The young girls who represented Abia State have demonstrated that they are ready to play a leading role in shaping that future.
Their success serves as an inspiration to thousands of young girls across Nigeria, proving that with the right support, mentorship, opportunities, and determination, they can become innovators, creators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the digital economy.
Abia State celebrates this remarkable achievement and remains committed to expanding opportunities that empower young people to dream bigger, innovate boldly, and compete confidently on national and global stages.