UI qualifies for Zain Africa Challenge finals

The country's institution emerged the stronger side in an encounter against fellow Nigerian representative, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) who had earlier defeated the two times reigning champion, Egerton University of Kenya, according to Zain Nigeria's head of public relations and corporate social responsibility programme, Emeka Oparah.

The UI team comprises Nnaemeka Nwachukwu, Olatunji Ayoola Olalere, Olanrewaju Ismail Shittu and Tolulope Oloruntoba. The questions in the quiz programme cover topic areas including: history, science, African culture, geography, literature, music and current events.

The winner of the competition will receive the Zain's Scholars trophy, cash prize for the team and institutional grant for the victorious university in addition to bragging rights, said Oparah.

Five teams including the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU, UNILAG and UI, are representing Nigeria at the Zain Africa Challenge.

The five Nigerian teams participating in the Zain Africa Challenge International Championship along with teams from Ghana and Sierra Leone are taking part in the competition for the first time. Universities from other the countries from East and Southern Africa where Zain operates, are participating in the competition for a third year.

According to Oparah, Zain is offering over US$1 million in travel grants, prizes and educational grants to participating institutions and students.

To be eligible for selection, a university must be government chartered or accredited, be in 3rd year of intake (or later), and should have at least 250 enrolled students.

Nigeria's representatives were selected through the Zain Challenge National Qualifier in Abuja from a pool of 16 universities which were selected with the help of the National University Commission (NUC).

The show is broadcast every Monday on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) from 6:00pm to 6:30pm and Tuesday from 7:30pm- 8:00pm or 8:30pm - 9:00pm GMT on Africa Independent Television (AIT).