Geography Olympiad sparks renewed hope in Nigerian education
By Ibukun Emiola
After years of educational decline and systemic challenges, a quiet revolution is stirring across Nigeria’s schools — led not by conventional subjects, but by Geography.
At the heart of this revival is the Geography Olympiad, an annual international competition for secondary school students between the ages of 16 and 19.
The students are tested on theoretical knowledge, multimedia tasks, and intensive fieldwork, involving cartography and spatial analysis.
Though often considered an overlooked subject in Nigerian schools, Geography is now gaining prominence as schools, educators, and institutions rally to prepare students for global competition.
Since Nigeria’s debut at the International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) in Cologne, Germany, in 2012, the country has participated in several editions hosted by Japan, Poland, Russia, China, Canada, and Turkey.
In June 2025, Nigeria’s national representatives, known as the “Golden Team,” returned from the Open International Geography Olympiad in Moscow, Russia, with a bronze medal.
This development has since sparked enthusiasm among teachers and students nationwide.
The Lead of the Olympiad Task Force, Mr Ishaq Ahmed, described the achievement as a milestone.
“I believe that every teacher should prepare students to compete on the world stage,” Ahmed said.
Across the country, schools are intensifying efforts to train candidates through regional qualifiers, culminating in national selection and international participation.
One of such schools, Zamani College, Kaduna, has become a leading force in the Olympiad programme, consistently producing top-performing students.
The school’s Principal, Mrs Josephine Mohammed, said Geography has become a tool to empower students and transform future outcomes.
“What we are building here is more than a competition; it is the foundation of Nigeria’s future,” she said.
Supporting this grassroots momentum is the Association of Nigerian Geographers (ANG), which comprises over 2,500 academic members.
This is also supported by GIS Konsult Ltd., a geospatial consulting firm, dedicated to promoting the teaching and application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote-sensing technology in secondary schools.
A former president of ANG, Prof. Olukayode Oyesiku, observes that the discipline is rapidly evolving into a unique gateway for tackling real-world challenges.
He identified the challenges as climate change, urban development, and natural resource management.
“Geography equips students with the critical skills they need to address global challenges.
“We are training a new generation to analyse spatial data, interpret environmental trends, and propose sustainable solutions,” he said.
The Olympiad programme, implemented under the Geography Green School Initiative, is nationally coordinated by Mr David Afolayan.
According to him, the programme’s long-term goal is to promote Geography as a subject of first choice for students, while preparing them for leadership and global engagement.
“Our goal is to establish Geography as a subject of choice that inspires students and grooms them for leadership in an ever-changing world,” Afolayan said.
His team has led efforts to expand school registrations, organise training camps, and attract sponsorships, resulting in increasing national participation each year.
Education experts believe the recent success in Moscow proves that with the right support, Nigerian students can thrive on the global stage.
As the nation prepares for the next iGeo, stakeholders say the message is clear — investment in Geography education is an investment in a generation capable of understanding the world.
This generation, they say, would navigate its complexities and build a better future.
Geography is no longer just a subject. It is now a mission, a movement, and a roadmap to Nigeria’s educational renaissance. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Moses Solanke
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