School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada Wins 10th National Legislative Quiz Competition

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada, Abuja, has emerged winner of the 10th National Quiz Competition on the Legislature and Democracy for Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria, organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)

The school scored 70 points to clinch the top prize at the grand finale which held at NILDS headquarters in Abuja, followed by Model Secondary School, Akure, Ondo State, which secured second place with 65 points, while Annunciation Catholic College, Irrua, Edo State, finished third with 60 points.

Other finalists included Academic Planet, Aba (Abia State), Pen Resource Academy, Gombe State, and Bilikisu International School, Kaduna.

Speaking with Democracy, the jubilant students and their teachers described the victory as a reward for years of persistence, teamwork, and resilience.

Beaming with pride, Yusuf Bushra, one of the competition’s shining stars, could barely contain her excitement.

“I feel very happy and satisfied,” she said, her voice brimming with joy. “Marriage is not the solution; education is. That’s what I want every girl out there to understand.”

Bushra recounted the challenges faced during preparations, noting that despite the intensity of the competition, her confidence never wavered, a reflection of her team’s determination to rise above previous setbacks.

Another standout performer, Jambo Juliana, celebrated the team’s journey from disappointment to triumph.

“Last year we came second, the year before that, third,” she said with a wide smile. “Now that we’ve finally brought home the trophy, it’s a thing of joy. It shows that hard work and determination truly pay off.”

“As long as you’re a girl, don’t feel limited. The sky isn’t the limit — you can go higher and achieve anything you want.” Juliana added.

Their teacher, Angelans Ntadi, commended the students’ consistency and hard work, describing the victory as a product of years of steady effort.

“We’ve always worked hard, but this year everything came together perfectly,” he said. “These girls were outstanding, and their success should encourage parents to keep sending their daughters to school.”

For the triumphant girls of the School for the Gifted, the win represents more than academic excellence — it is a celebration of belief, education, and the limitless potential of the girl child.

In his closing remarks, Director-General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar Suliaman, lauded the students’ achievements and used the occasion to advocate for increased government investment in public education.

“All government needs is to inject funds and take care of teachers, and you will get the best from our public schools,” he said, noting that the consistent performance of the School for the Gifted proves that quality education is not exclusive to private institutions.

He emphasized that education remains the cornerstone of democracy, urging policymakers to prioritize adequate funding for schools at all levels.

“The strength of any democracy lies in the literacy, critical thinking, and civic awareness of its young citizens,” he said.

Prof. Sulaiman commended teachers and administrators nationwide as “nation builders who work quietly but shape destinies.”

“Our children are doing excellently well; all they need is opportunity, encouragement, and the right environment to flourish. If we invest in them today, we will secure the nation’s tomorrow.”

Beyond funding, he also called for teacher training, improved infrastructure, and consistent policy implementation to make public schools more competitive and globally relevant.

He reaffirmed NILDS’ commitment to collaborating with the National Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Education, and other partners to nurture civic knowledge and leadership through initiatives like the National Legislative Schools Quiz Competition — a platform he described as vital for “instilling civic consciousness, intellectual curiosity, and leadership values in the next generation.”

While all participating schools were certified and each student was given a brand new laptop, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions also got trophies and monetary prizes.