Nigerian Students Shine At iCode Competition in Beijing, China

Seventeen Nigerian students drawn from four schools in Abuja have represented the country at the iCode Competition in Beijing, China, as part of efforts to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education among young Nigerians.

Led by Glisten International Academy, the students took part in the competition on Saturday, August 22, 2026, accompanied by five chaperones.

The students displayed creativity, technological skill and innovative thinking during the competition, going up against contestants from other countries in a contest built around coding and technology-based problem solving.

The Nigerian Embassy in China, which was represented at the event, said it was proud of the students’ performance, describing their participation as a reflection of the developmental potential of Nigerian youths.

The students later paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy, where they were received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

Dambazau commended the students and their schools for giving them the opportunity to gain international exposure and experience through the competition.

Ambassador Praises Glisten Academy's Role

He also praised the Executive Director of Glisten International Academy, Engr Abba Abdullahi Saidu, and members of his team for supporting the students’ participation and travel to Beijing.

The ambassador reminded the students that academic learning must be paired with good character and responsible behaviour.

“Learning and character must always go together,” Dambazau told the students, pointing to the importance of good conduct wherever they find themselves.

Dambazau called on public schools across Nigeria’s 36 states to create similar opportunities for young people to take part in international academic, technological and innovation programmes.

According to him, learning should extend beyond the classroom, with exposure to different cultures and international platforms helping young Nigerians broaden their knowledge and grow their potential.

The iCode Competition draws student teams from multiple countries each year to test coding, robotics and innovation skills, and Nigeria’s participation is seen by organisers as part of a wider push to build the country’s STEM talent pipeline for future technology careers.