Students of Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School have emerged winners of the 2026 Black History Month Inter-School Quiz Competition hosted by the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, University of Lagos (IADS, UNILAG).
Represented by the outstanding duo of Wellington Ekemini and Tofunmi Elizabeth Ojo, the school secured the winning title after a thrilling and intellectually charged competition. The competition formed a core part of the line up of events at a programme organised by IADS, UNILAG to commemorate Black History Month.
With the theme: A Century of African Self-Representation: Nigeria in the Globalization of Black History, the programme was held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the J. P. Clark Centre, UNILAG. It brought together scholars, dignitaries, and students from selected secondary schools across Lagos State, including Grace Schools, Leeland Schools, International School Lagos, Federal Government College (Ijanikin), Onike Girls Junior High School, Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Igbobi College, Queens College, Holy Child College, and Dansol School.
Fierce Contest, Outstanding Performance
The fiercely contested quiz competition was designed to test participants’ knowledge of Africa’s history, global Black experiences, politics, culture, and contemporary issues. It unfolded over multiple rigorous rounds, with students demonstrating impressive depth of knowledge, confidence, and teamwork.
After intense stages of elimination, three schools advanced to the final round: Onike Girls Junior High School, Igbobi College, and Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School. In a gripping finale marked by speed, precision, and composure, Wellington Ekemini and Tofunmi Elizabeth Ojo distinguished themselves with sharp responses and excellent collaboration.
Their stellar performance earned Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School the overall title, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience and commendation from the organisers.
Lecture: Reclaiming African Narratives
Another key element of the Black History Month programme was the keynote lecture delivered by Professor David Aworawo, a renowned scholar of International Relations and Strategic Studies. The lecture examined the evolution of Africa’s self-representation and Nigeria’s place within global Black history.
According to him, for decades, African histories were marginalised or interpreted through external perspectives. However, the past century has witnessed a steady reclamation of identity, voice, and political agency among Black people worldwide.
Professor Aworawo encouraged students to “view history not merely as a record of past struggles, but as a foundation for shaping a more informed and equitable future”.
IADS: Research, Teaching, and Advocacy
In his welcome address, the Director of IADS, Research Professor Ayo Yusuff, described Black History Month as a time for reflection, celebration, and renewed commitment to African heritage. He explained that the Institute’s mandate of 70% research, 20% teaching, and 10% advocacy aligns closely with the spirit of Black History Month, which centres on the recognition, preservation, and celebration of African and diasporic experiences.
While tracing the history of the celebration at the Institute, Professor Yusuff noted that the annual programme, since its inception in 2019, has consistently featured an intellectual competition component ranging from quiz contests to art exhibitions and essay competitions to engage secondary school students and nurture historical consciousness.
According to him, a notable milestone occurred in 2020 when Ifunnaya Uchechukwu Odiegwu of Queens College emerged as the first-ever essay competition winner with her entry titled “What Black History Means to Me.” That achievement, he added, laid the foundation for what has become a dynamic and impactful annual tradition.
The IADS Director pointed out that “Black History Month at UNILAG is more than a ceremonial observance; it is a platform for intellectual engagement and inspiration, empowering young minds to appreciate the past while shaping the future”.
Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, University of Lagos (IADS, UNILAG)
The Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, University of Lagos (IADS, UNILAG) was inaugurated on August 9, 2017 following a series of events attended by staff and students including invited guests and the media. The former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon Bello accompanied by the University Management was on hand to unveil the IADS signpost at the J. P. Clark Centre.
The vision of the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies is to be a foremost Institute for the exchange of cultural and social ideas and research excellence in pursuit of knowledge for the development of Africans at home and the diaspora as well as humankind.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Samuel O. Dosunmu
