Lagos schools, teachers win cash prizes as Bomarah Foundation marks third anniversary

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Bomarah Foundation has rewarded outstanding students and teachers from Lagos schools with cash prizes, medals, school bags and other gift items as it marked the third anniversary of its annual schools competition, reinforcing its commitment to educational development and community empowerment.

The competition, held under the theme, “Building Brighter Minds Through Healthy Competition,” featured spelling bee contests, quizzes, debates and teachers’ current affairs challenges, providing a platform for participants to demonstrate their knowledge, critical-thinking abilities and communication skills.

The three-day programme began on October 7 and 8, 2026, at St. George’s Primary School, Falomo, and ended with a grand finale on Monday, October 12, at the MUSON Centre, Lagos Island.

The competing schools were selected by Lagos State Education District III, with five junior secondary schools and five senior secondary schools participating in the final contests.

The junior secondary schools included Falomo Junior High School, Ireti Junior High School, Girls Junior Grammar School, Okesuna Junior High School and Eko Akete Junior Secondary School.

At the senior secondary level, the participating schools were Falomo Senior High School, Ireti Senior Grammar School, Okesuna Senior High School, Girls Senior Secondary Grammar School and Eko Akete Senior Grammar School, Lagos Island.

At the end of the competition, winners in the school categories received ₦250,000 for first place, ₦150,000 for second place and ₦100,000 for third place, alongside medals, school bags and other gifts.

The teachers’ category also attracted cash rewards, with the first-place winner receiving ₦200,000, the second-place winner ₦150,000 and the third-place winner ₦100,000, in addition to other gift items.

Speaking at the grand finale, the President of the Bomarah Foundation, Hajia Bola Muse, said the initiative had grown from a modest educational intervention into a broader platform for nurturing young talents, celebrating teachers and supporting vulnerable communities.

“Three years ago, we started with a dream. Today, that dream is standing tall before you,” she said.

Muse explained that the competition reflected the foundation’s belief that education should go beyond examination results to develop character, confidence, collaboration and creativity.

According to her, healthy competition provides students and teachers with opportunities to test their abilities, learn from one another and build the skills needed to excel academically and contribute to society.

From Five School to Broader Intervention

Reviewing the foundation’s activities since its establishment, Muse said the first edition in 2024 involved five schools in Lagos State and included motivational sessions for students and teachers.

The foundation also awarded full scholarships to 10 orphans and vulnerable children, a programme she said had continued.

In 2025, the initiative expanded to 10 schools across Lagos State and neighbouring areas. The foundation introduced the Teachers Current Affairs Challenge to recognise educators as contributors to national development.

Its activities also extended beyond the classroom through social welfare and empowerment programmes.

Muse said the foundation’s Family Support Food Drive reached 750 families during Ramadan and Christmas, while its Back-to-School Project distributed more than 1,200 school bags, books and uniforms.

The foundation also organised a teachers’ capacity-building workshop in partnership with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), focusing on digital teaching tools.

In addition, 100 widows and mothers received start-up grants to support their small businesses and strengthen their livelihoods.

Describing the 2026 edition as a period of growth, Muse said 20 schools had registered for the competition, which had expanded to include junior and senior secondary school quizzes, spelling bee contests, an advanced current affairs challenge for senior secondary school teachers, debates and STEM innovation.

She said the expanded programme was intended to encourage academic excellence, creativity and innovation while giving students and teachers more opportunities to demonstrate their abilities.

Foundation Seeks Sustained Support

Muse expressed appreciation to the foundation’s sponsors, donors, technical partners, volunteers, judges, school administrators, parents and organising committee for contributing to the success of the programme.

She particularly commended the judges for upholding fairness and integrity, while acknowledging the dedication of the volunteers and organisers.

The foundation’s president also urged participants not to measure their achievements solely by the prizes they received, but by the knowledge, confidence and relationships developed through the competition.

“The awards and medals are temporary, but the knowledge, confidence and friendship you gain here are permanent. Whether you take first, second or third, you are all winners of Bomarah Foundation,” she said.

She expressed hope that the initiative would help nurture future doctors, engineers, teachers, leaders and innovators who would contribute to Nigeria’s development.

The foundation’s third-anniversary celebration thus combined academic competition with a broader message about the importance of investing in education, empowering teachers and creating opportunities for young people to realise their potential.