The students—Egejurum Onyedikachi Ethan (11), Onwubiko Chimduebube Victor (13), and Don Anele Munachimso Marvelous (17)—qualified for the global competition after emerging among the top performers at the Southeast Mathematics Olympiad, an initiative organised by education advocate and Educare CEO, Alex Onyia. The competition attracted over 11,500 students. Accompanied by their teachers, the trio are taking part in Mathematics and Science contests at the Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, representing Nigeria on the international stage. Onyia, who covered the students' travel expenses, including flights, visas and accommodation, announced on Saturday that they had arrived safely at the venue and expressed confidence in their chances of success. Before the competition, Onyia singled out Don Anele Munachimso Marvelous, who is competing in the senior category, describing him as one of Nigeria's brightest young science talents. He noted that the teenager, recognised as Nigeria's top IGCSE Chemistry student, possesses exceptional abilities in mathematics and science. He also praised 11-year-old Egejurum Onyedikachi Ethan, who is representing Nigeria in the primary mathematics category. According to Onyia, the youngster also chose to participate in the science event despite having little time to prepare, expressing optimism that he could excel in both disciplines. The students' participation comes amid growing concerns about Nigeria's presence in international academic competitions. Recently, education stakeholders revealed that the country had been downgraded to observer status at the 2026 International Mathematical Olympiad in Shanghai after years of limited participation caused by funding constraints. The development sparked calls for stronger institutional support for gifted students, with Onyia urging authorities to address the funding issues affecting Nigeria's representation at major global competitions. Although the Federal Ministry of Education reportedly said it was unaware of the specific funding challenges surrounding the International Mathematical Olympiad, the privately funded trip to Rome has been widely seen as an example of how individual and private-sector support can help talented Nigerian students access international opportunities. The results of the International STEM Olympiad are expected to be announced in the coming days.