BENIN CITY — The 2026 edition of the NEPL/Seplat Energy PEARLs Quiz Competition has concluded with Notre Dame College, Ozoro, Delta State, emerging overall winner. The competition brought together secondary schools from Edo and Delta states and was designed to promote academic excellence, confidence, innovation and character among students. A total of 476 schools participated in the competition before the finalists reached the grand stage. Notre Dame College won the championship trophy and received a N10 million education infrastructure grant. Henson Demonstration School in Benin City finished second and received N5 million, while Lumen Christi College placed third and received N3 million. Students and supervising teachers from the leading schools also received educational support prizes. The competition provides an example of how academic contests can encourage students to develop stronger interest in learning. Quiz competitions require participants to read widely, recall information quickly and work effectively under pressure. They can also expose students to subjects beyond the narrow requirements of classroom examinations. The PEARLs competition has become a platform through which schools can showcase the academic abilities of their students. For participating schools, success can boost confidence among students and teachers while encouraging greater investment in academic activities. The education infrastructure grants attached to the competition also provide direct support to schools. Schools can use such funding to improve learning facilities, purchase educational materials or support other projects that benefit students. Infrastructure remains an important issue in Nigerian education. Many schools require better classrooms, laboratories, libraries, furniture and other facilities. Private-sector support can complement government investment when it is properly coordinated with the needs of schools. The involvement of a major energy company in an education programme also reflects the broader role businesses can play in supporting communities. Corporate social responsibility programmes can contribute to education while creating opportunities for students to interact with organisations outside the school environment. However, long-term education improvement still requires sustained public investment. Competitions and grants can provide valuable support, but they cannot replace the need for adequate government funding, qualified teachers and reliable school infrastructure. The success of the PEARLs competition also highlights the academic potential among young Nigerians. Students across the country regularly demonstrate strong performance in national and international competitions when they receive appropriate preparation and support. Such achievements can challenge perceptions that Nigerian students lack access to quality academic opportunities. Teachers play an important role in preparing students for competitions. Effective preparation requires more than memorising facts. Students need to understand concepts, develop critical-thinking skills and learn how to apply knowledge. Teachers who encourage curiosity can help students develop a lasting interest in learning. Parents and communities can also support students by providing conducive environments for study. Academic achievement is often the result of cooperation among students, teachers, parents and school administrators. The PEARLs competition provides an opportunity to celebrate that collective effort. The participation of hundreds of schools also demonstrates the appetite for academic competitions among secondary-school students. Expanding such opportunities could help identify talented students and encourage them to pursue further education. The winners can serve as role models for other students, showing that hard work and preparation can produce recognition. For Notre Dame College, the N10 million infrastructure grant provides an opportunity to strengthen the school's learning environment. Henson Demonstration School and Lumen Christi College also received substantial support for their achievements. The competition therefore combined recognition with practical educational assistance. The 2026 edition has reinforced the value of academic competitions as part of a broader education strategy. More programmes that encourage reading, science, mathematics, innovation and problem-solving could help Nigerian students develop the skills needed for higher education and employment. The challenge will be ensuring that such opportunities reach students across different regions and socioeconomic backgrounds. For now, the achievements of the participating schools provide a positive example of academic excellence and the potential impact of targeted educational support.