Mountain Crest High School has emerged winner of the 2026 NNPC/Seplat PEARLs Quiz competition after defeating over 200 secondary schools across Imo State to claim a ₦5 million school development grant.
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The school secured the top position during the grand finale of the PEARLs Quiz and STEAM Competition organised by the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS)/Seplat Energy Joint Venture in Owerri, Imo State.
Apart from the ₦5 million project-based grant awarded to the school, the three students who represented Mountain Crest High School also received ₦100,000 scholarship grants each, while their teacher went home with a laptop.
The competition, which has become one of the flagship education initiatives of the NNPC/Seplat JV, attracted more than 200 schools from different parts of Imo State. Students went through several stages of screening, qualifying tests and live academic contests before the finalists eventually emerged.
The PEARLs Quiz focuses on improving the quality of education in host communities while encouraging academic excellence, discipline, confidence and critical thinking among secondary school students.
Owerri City Secondary School emerged second in the competition and received a ₦3 million school development grant alongside a trophy. The students who represented the school received ₦75,000 educational support grants each, while their teacher also received a laptop.
Eziachi Secondary School, Orlu, came third and received a ₦1 million grant. The students representing the school received ₦50,000 each as educational support grants, while their teacher also got a laptop.
Christ the King College finished in fourth position. Although no cash prize was attached to the position, the school’s teacher received a laptop in recognition of participation and performance at the grand finale.
The event also featured a STEAM Innovation Project competition where students showcased practical projects designed to solve real-life problems. The projects were judged based on technical depth, sustainability, innovation, relevance and presentation quality.
PAC College emerged winner of the STEAM Innovation Project category and received a ₦500,000 grant to further develop its innovation project. St Theresa College came second and received ₦250,000, while Urban College secured third position and received ₦100,000.
Other students who participated in the innovation segment were also rewarded with school bags and exercise books.
Speaking during the event, Director of External Affairs and Social Performance at Seplat Energy Plc, Chioma Afe, described the competition as a celebration of intellect, discipline, curiosity and the potential of young Nigerians.
According to her, the initiative was created after findings showed that education remained one of the biggest needs within many host communities.
“The PEARLs Quiz is our flagship education quiz programme targeted at secondary schools in the various states where we operate. We discovered through years of research and needs assessment that one of the critical needs within our communities is education,” she said.
She added that the programme was designed to encourage rigour, academic excellence and sharp thinking among students.
Afe noted that modern society now requires young people who can think critically and solve practical problems instead of depending only on memorised classroom answers.
“The world today demands more than memorised answers. It requires young people who can think critically, challenge assumptions and apply knowledge to real-life situations,” she said.
According to her, Seplat Energy and NNPC Limited believe education remains one of the most powerful investments any organisation can make in society.
“That is why our social investment approach is rooted in long-term impact,” she added.
She explained that the PEARLs Quiz complements other educational programmes sponsored by Seplat Energy, including the Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme and the Science Innovators Programme.
Afe further stated that the company remains committed to ensuring talented students are identified and supported.
“We remain steadfast in our resolve to power lives, empower minds, and ensure that no brilliance is overlooked and no talent is left behind,” she said.
Representing the Acting Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NUIMS, Olanrewaju Igandan, the Lead Community Relations officer at NUIMS, Minanengiyeofori Loveday, said the competition has continued to grow into an important platform for students in Imo State to showcase their academic abilities.
“As we reflect on the journey since the inaugural edition, I am thrilled to see how this event has evolved into a significant platform for young minds to showcase their knowledge and skills,” he said.
He noted that the partnership between NUIMS and Seplat Energy reflects a commitment towards investing in the future of young Nigerians through education.
Loveday encouraged participating students to value the lessons, exposure and friendships gained from the competition beyond the financial rewards attached to it.
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, represented by the Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Bar. Emeka Mgbudem, commended the NNPC/Seplat JV for sustaining programmes that support education and youth development within the state.
He pledged the continued support of the Imo State Government for initiatives that encourage innovation and empower students.
Mgbudem revealed that before attending the competition, he visited the infectious disease hospital currently being constructed in Imo State by the same joint venture.
According to him, the hospital is among the largest infectious disease facilities in the South-East region.
“You will not fully appreciate what this joint venture has done in Imo State until you visit that facility,” he said.
He added that the contributions of the NNPC/Seplat JV in Imo State go beyond education and extend into healthcare and community welfare programmes.
“If we begin to analyse everything the NNPC Limited and Seplat Energy joint venture has done for Imo State; from restoring vision, to ensuring people remain healthy, to training our children and positioning them to compete effectively in the 21st century, we can only say thank you,” he stated.
Also speaking at the event, the Imo State Commissioner for Niger Delta Affairs and Intelligence, Prince Henry Okafor, praised the students for displaying impressive intellectual abilities during the competition.
He noted that the standard of presentations, debates and responses from the students showed that young people in Imo State are performing strongly academically when given the right opportunities.
Okafor also highlighted the growing impact of Seplat Energy’s social investment programmes across communities in the state.
The grand finale attracted government officials, education stakeholders, parents, regulators, community leaders and students from different parts of Imo State.
Students who participated in the competition expressed excitement over the opportunity provided by the programme.
One of the winning students from Mountain Crest High School, Ifedioranma Okereke, described the competition as one of the biggest academic contests she had ever participated in.
“This is the first time it has been so large-scale. I am very happy and appreciative to Seplat and NNPC for giving students this opportunity to show their worth,” she said.
According to her, the competition gave students a platform to prove they are exceptional beyond normal classroom examinations.
She added that the experience also taught her humility and the importance of not underestimating competitors.
Another participant, Nnodim Adeze of Owerri City Secondary School, said the competition increased her determination to succeed academically.
“From the beginning to the end is not easy, but this really shows that the NNPC/Seplat JV cares for the students and have them at heart,” she said.
She also expressed confidence that her school would return stronger in future editions of the competition.
The Seplat PEARLs Quiz remains one of the major corporate social investment programmes organised by the NNPC/Seplat JV and continues to focus on educational development, innovation and youth empowerment across host communities in Nigeria.
