By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) officially opened the Grand Finale of the 2026 NLNG Science Contest on Tuesday, with a call for young Nigerians to harness science and innovation to solve real-world challenges and shape the future.
Delivering the opening remarks at the event, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, praised the exceptional ingenuity displayed by finalists, describing their projects as comparable to work expected from professional innovators and researchers.
After touring the exhibition stands, Horsfall expressed admiration for the quality of projects developed by Senior Secondary School students from across Rivers State.
“I had to remind myself that I was not at a high-tech incubator in Lagos or a research laboratory in Port Harcourt. These projects were created by SS1 and SS2 students right here in Rivers State,” she said, commending the finalists for demonstrating remarkable creativity and professionalism.
Reflecting on her own educational journey in Rivers State, Horsfall noted that science education during her school years was largely focused on memorisation rather than practical innovation. She explained that the NLNG Science Contest was designed to bridge that gap by providing students with a platform to develop and showcase innovative solutions.
According to her, the competition aligns with NLNG’s commitment to inspiring a sustainable future through science and empowering young people to translate classroom knowledge into practical impact.
She emphasized that despite challenges faced by many schools, including limited access to equipment and resources, the quality of projects presented at the finale demonstrated that creativity and determination can overcome such constraints.
Horsfall also highlighted the transformation of the programme from the NLNG Science Quiz to the NLNG Science Contest, describing the change as a strategic response to evolving global demands.
“Science education today must move beyond testing knowledge. Students must be able to apply scientific principles to solve real-world problems,” she said. “The world has enough fast talkers; it is now time to empower the problem solvers who will drive our technological future.”
The revamped contest, she explained, is designed to strengthen foundational competencies in Mathematics, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Physics, Chemistry, and Biology while encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.
She noted that the journey to the Grand Finale had been highly competitive, with students progressing through rigorous Olympiad and Championship stages. The 2026 edition is being held under the theme, “Powering Tomorrow through Science and Innovative Solutions.”
Horsfall also applauded the strong participation of female students, stressing that innovation and talent know no gender boundaries.
“When I look at the young girls here today, representing their schools alongside the boys, it gives me a particular sense of pride. Innovation has no gender, and talent has no limits,” she stated.
Encouraging the finalists, she urged them to view their projects not merely as entries in a competition but as potential solutions capable of shaping the future.
“Our finalists should see these projects as blueprints for tomorrow,” she said.
The NLNG executive subsequently declared the 2026 NLNG Science Contest Grand Finale officially open and wished all participants success as they compete for top honours.
The contest continues to serve as one of Rivers State’s leading platforms for promoting science education, innovation, and the development of future problem-solvers equipped to address emerging global challenges.
