NUT Urges Better Funding for Public Schools After Private Schools Shine at Global Olympiad

The Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to pay greater attention to funding, infrastructure and teachers' welfare in public schools following the impressive performance of Nigerian students at the 2026 International STEM Olympiad in Rome.

The call comes after Nigerian students, many of them from private secondary schools, returned from the international competition with an impressive collection of gold, silver and bronze medals across Mathematics, Science, Coding, Engineering and Artificial Intelligence.

While celebrating the achievements of the students, the NUT said their success should also encourage the government to look more closely at the conditions under which millions of Nigerian children in public schools are learning.

According to the union, the strong performance of private school students should not automatically be interpreted to mean that private schools have better teachers than public schools.

Rather, the difference may often come down to the learning environment, resources and opportunities available to students.

NUT: Public School Teachers Are Also Qualified

Speaking on the issue, NUT President, Audu Amba, argued that Nigeria has many experienced and highly qualified teachers working in public schools.

However, he said these teachers are frequently expected to deliver results in environments where basic teaching and learning facilities are inadequate.

For Amba, having a qualified teacher in a classroom is only part of the equation.

Teachers also need appropriate learning materials, functional laboratories, modern technology, adequate classrooms and other resources that allow them to do their jobs effectively.

A teacher may have the knowledge and experience to prepare students for international competitions, but without the necessary facilities and academic support, students may not have the opportunity to develop their abilities fully.

This, the NUT believes, is one of the issues that needs to be addressed if public schools are to compete more effectively with their private counterparts.

Nigerian Students Make Their Mark in Rome

The discussion follows the impressive showing of Nigerian students at the 2026 International STEM Olympiad in Rome.

The competition brought together students to test their abilities in areas such as Mathematics, Science, Coding, Engineering and Artificial Intelligence.

Nigerian participants recorded several notable successes, with students winning gold, silver and bronze medals in different categories.

Among the standout performers was Anele Marvellous, who won double gold medals in Mathematics and Science. The student also emerged as the world's best in Science.

Another impressive performance came from Chimdiebube Onwubiko, who won gold in Junior Mathematics and silver in Science.

Egejurum Ethan also claimed gold in Mathematics and was recognised as the world's best in Primary Mathematics.

These achievements highlight the academic potential of Nigerian students and show that young Nigerians can compete successfully on international platforms when given the right preparation and opportunities.

Private Schools Dominate the Standout Performances

A significant feature of Nigeria's performance at the Olympiad was the strong representation of students from private schools.

Ambassadors College, Ogun State, was among the country's top-performing schools, recording 33 medals.

Children's International School, Lagos, also produced an impressive result, finishing third globally with 36 awards.

Other schools, including Gonzaga Jesuit College, Okija, and Graceland International School, also recorded strong performances, with several of their students receiving recognition in different categories.

The results have once again drawn attention to the differences between private and public education in Nigeria.

Private schools often have greater flexibility to invest in specialised learning programmes, technology, laboratories, extracurricular activities and competition preparation.

Some parents also have the financial capacity to provide their children with additional tutoring, educational materials and other forms of academic support outside the classroom.

The Problem Is Bigger Than the Classroom

Amba acknowledged that many of the students who performed exceptionally well at the competition come from families that can afford to provide additional educational opportunities.

This does not mean that children in public schools lack the ability to succeed.

Instead, it raises a more important question about equal access to educational opportunities.

A talented student attending a public school may have the same intellectual potential as a student in an expensive private school.

The difference may be the resources available to both students.

One may have access to a well-equipped science laboratory, coding classes, modern computers and specialised coaching, while the other may be learning in a classroom where even basic facilities are limited.

According to the NUT, this is why the government needs to focus on strengthening public schools rather than simply comparing their performance with private institutions.

Better Infrastructure Could Change the Picture

For public school students to compete on the same level, schools need facilities that support modern learning.

STEM education, in particular, requires more than textbooks and classroom lectures.

Students need opportunities to experiment, build things, use technology, write code and solve practical problems.

Modern laboratories and computer facilities can give students the opportunity to turn theoretical knowledge into practical skills.

This becomes even more important as Nigeria prepares young people for a global economy increasingly shaped by technology, artificial intelligence and scientific innovation.

The NUT believes that improving public school infrastructure would allow teachers to make better use of their expertise while giving students greater opportunities to discover and develop their abilities.

Teachers' Welfare Also Matters

Infrastructure is only one side of the issue.

The NUT also wants greater attention paid to the welfare of teachers.

Teachers are responsible for helping students develop the knowledge and skills they need to succeed, but they also need to feel valued and supported.

Better working conditions, professional development opportunities and improved welfare can help attract and retain talented teachers in public schools.

When experienced teachers are properly supported, schools can benefit from their knowledge for many years.

Professional development can also help teachers stay up to date with new teaching methods, technology and changes in their respective subjects.

Giving Every Child a Fair Opportunity

One of the biggest issues raised by the NUT's reaction is the question of equality in education.

Academic competitions such as the International STEM Olympiad provide a platform for talented students to demonstrate what they can do.

But opportunities to participate in such competitions are not always equally available.

If preparation depends heavily on a family's ability to pay for private education, coaching and additional resources, many talented children may never get the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.

This means Nigeria could be missing out on talented mathematicians, scientists, engineers and technology innovators simply because they were not given the right environment to develop.

Investing in public education could help change this.

What the Government Needs to Do

The NUT is calling for stronger education funding at all levels of government.

The union wants governments to invest in modern school infrastructure, improve teachers' welfare and provide the learning resources required for students to compete in today's world.

These investments should not be viewed simply as expenses.

They are investments in Nigeria's future workforce.

The students who are currently sitting in classrooms will eventually become the scientists, engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs, doctors, technology professionals and public servants responsible for the country's future.

Giving them access to quality education therefore has consequences far beyond their individual academic results.

The Bigger Lesson from Rome

The achievements of Nigerian students at the 2026 International STEM Olympiad deserve to be celebrated.

Their medals demonstrate that Nigerian students have the ability to perform at a very high level when they receive the necessary support.

But the results also provide an opportunity to ask how many more young Nigerians could achieve similar success if public schools had the facilities, funding and support they needed.

For the NUT, the answer is not to dismiss public school teachers or assume that private schools automatically provide better education.

The focus should instead be on creating conditions where every teacher can teach effectively and every student can learn to their full potential.

If Nigeria can combine qualified teachers with better infrastructure, adequate funding and stronger student support, the country's public schools may produce many more students capable of standing on the international stage.

The medals won in Rome are therefore more than just individual achievements. They are also a reminder of what Nigerian children can accomplish when given the opportunity to succeed.