The Chief Executive Officer of Educare, Alex Onyia, had announced Adoga’s qualification to participate in the tournament.
Fifteen-year-old student of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Agbo Adoga, allegedly lost the chance to represent Nigeria in the Math Olympic tournament in China because the Nigerian government failed to implement his sponsorship for the game.
The Chief Executive Officer of Educare, Alex Onyia, had announced Adoga’s qualification to participate in the tournament.
On October 18, 2025, Onyia announced in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account that Adoga came out best in the world in Mathematics at the International Stem Olympic in Barcelona, adding that he also got 1600 on the SAT.
Onyia had announced, “This boy, Agbo Adoga from Graceland International School, Port-Harcourt, just scored a perfect SAT score of 1600.”
He also said, “His dream is to go to MIT, and he will get in. He attends Graceland International School, Port Harcourt. They use Educare. This is a rare accomplishment, and it should be a national discussion.”
According to Onyia, Adoga was supposed to be strictly sponsored to China for the Maths Olympic tournament by the Nigerian government.
In a post on X on Sunday, Onyia said, “Graceland International School, Port Harcourt just informed me that Agbo Adoga qualified to represent Nigeria in the International Maths Olympiad in China.
“The Nigerian Ministry of Education said they don’t have money to sponsor anybody. So he will not attend. Nigeria lost again!”
However, in a statement issued on Sunday, October 19, by the Federal Ministry of Education’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, the Ministry denied ever receiving a sponsorship request from Adoga or his handlers.
“The Federal Ministry of Education wishes to state clearly that it is not aware of the report circulating online regarding a supposed sponsorship request for a 15-year-old student said to have qualified to represent Nigeria at the International Mathematics Olympiad in China,” the ministry said.
Folasade further stated, “The Ministry affirms that there is no record or correspondence in its files indicating any such request for sponsorship from any recognised body.
“Accordingly, any relevant or verifiable information regarding this matter should be formally presented to the Ministry for necessary action.
“The public is advised to disregard unverified reports and ensure that all education-related matters are confirmed through the Ministry’s official communication channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to encouraging and supporting outstanding students through due process and transparent procedures.”
Reacting to the ministry’s denial of receipt of the sponsorship request, Onyia wrote, “I have never seen a ministry as unserious as this ministry.
“Go to your National Mathematical Centre in Kwali, Abuja and find the response you gave them when they requested Olympiad funding. You simply said no funding for anyone!”
In another post, Onyia wrote, “If Nigerian does not attend the International Mathematics Olympiad next year, they will be downgraded.
“That’s the policy from the International Mathematical Olympiad. It states that if a country does not participate in 5 years, they will be downgraded. It means Nigeria will no longer be at the category to earn medals. Nigeria then, can only be an observer nation.”
Onyia had also revealed that Adoga, who hails from Benue State, has 84 major achievements at the age of 15.
The achievements, according to Onyia, include: Singapore Maths Global Finals (SMGF) 2025, Overall Runner Up, Grade 11 & 12; Singapore and Asian Schools Maths Olympiad (SASMO) 2024, Perfect Scorer, Grade 11; 1st place State-wide in SPE YMCTY STEM Competition; 1st place worldwide in the Maths Best of the Best round of the 5th International STEM Olympiad 2025, and Gold medal certificate in the Best Of the Bestround of the 5th International STEM Olympiad 2025 (Maths).