OKADA — Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), has etched its name in the global technology landscape after securing the coveted International Grand Prize at the Huawei ICT Competition Global Final, a feat that places the institution among the world’s leading centres of digital innovation.
In a remarkable display of excellence, the university’s all-female team emerged victorious in the highly competitive Network Track category, outperforming more than 201,000 participants from across the globe to claim the top honour.
The triumphant duo, Okogbe Mary, a student of Electrical Engineering, and Imafidon Victoria Esohe, a Cybersecurity student, represented both Nigeria and the Sub-Saharan African region at the global finals. Their outstanding performance also earned them the prestigious Women in Tech Award, further cementing their place in the competition’s history books.
The achievement crowns an impressive campaign for Team IUO, which had earlier secured the Grand Prize at the Sub-Saharan Africa regional finals before advancing to the global stage.
With the victory, Igbinedion University becomes the first private university in Nigeria to win the Huawei ICT Competition Global Grand Prize, marking a significant milestone for higher education and technology development in the country.
Beyond the trophies and accolades, the accomplishment reflects the university’s sustained commitment to nurturing digital talent through industry-driven training and strategic partnerships. The institution’s investment in the Huawei ICT Academy programme has continued to provide students with practical skills in critical areas such as networking, cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and emerging digital technologies.
Education stakeholders have described the victory as a powerful statement about the growing capacity of Nigerian universities to compete and excel on the international stage. It also highlights the increasing role of women in shaping the future of technology, a sector traditionally dominated by men.
The Huawei ICT Competition, organised annually in collaboration with universities worldwide and UNESCO’s International Bureau of Education (UNESCO-IBE), is regarded as one of the most prestigious global platforms for emerging technology talents. The competition assesses participants’ knowledge and practical expertise in advanced ICT fields, including 5G, cloud technologies, networking and artificial intelligence.
For Nigeria, Team IUO’s success represents more than a global victory; it serves as a powerful symbol of the country’s growing influence in the digital economy and the immense potential of its young innovators.
The landmark triumph is expected to inspire a new generation of students, particularly young women, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), while reinforcing Nigeria’s reputation as a rising hub for technological excellence.