Sweetthinkers has unveiled plans to promote stronger academic performance among pupils in public primary schools across Nigeria.
The organisation’s Project Manager, Favour Akinola, made this known on Monday in Lagos during the third stage of the group’s Academic Excellence Award Initiative.
Akinola explained that the programme is designed to help pupils in government-owned primary schools compete confidently with students from private institutions.
She noted that the initiative also seeks to challenge the common perception that children in public schools cannot match the academic standards of their peers in private schools.
According to her, the competition is organised in several phases to gradually assess and strengthen the academic abilities of participating pupils.
“The first and second stages involved written examinations.
“In the first round, over 2,000 pupils took part, while about 200 advanced to the second stage.
“The third phase, which is computer-based, features 40 pupils, with eight expected to qualify for the final round,” she said.
Akinola added that a mock computer-based test was arranged before the third phase to help participants become familiar with using computers during examinations, since many of them had little or no prior experience with such technology.
She explained that the final round would be organised as a live academic contest in a larger venue.
“At the last stage, the pupils will compete and the best three performers will emerge as winners. They will be awarded scholarships to support their education at the secondary school level.
“The scholarship will remain valid as long as the beneficiaries sustain strong academic performance,” she said.
The project manager also noted that the programme would provide support for the schools attended by the finalists.
She said inspections would be conducted to determine the most urgent needs of the schools so that assistance could be properly directed.
“Our goal is to ensure that whatever support we provide addresses the real challenges of the schools, whether it involves renovation or other infrastructure improvements,” she said.
Akinola added that the initiative aims to inspire enthusiasm for learning and encourage pupils to pursue academic excellence.
She revealed that the grand finale of the 2025 edition is scheduled for May, adding that there are plans to extend the programme to additional states in the future.
She further expressed optimism that the initiative would evolve into an annual platform dedicated to strengthening public primary education nationwide.