Premiere Academy in Abuja has won the 2026 Battle of the Energy Titans competition. They outperformed 11 other finalists in a contest aimed at tackling Nigeria’s energy problems.
The NNPC Foundation and the Oloibiri Oil and Gas Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, OLOGED, organized the competition. This event was the main highlight of the annual Youth Energy STEAM Festival, YES-Fest 2026.
This year’s theme was ‘Young Innovators Solving Energy Poverty’. YES-Fest aimed to give students hands-on skills to create energy solutions for their communities.
Out of 45 schools that participated from the FCT and other areas, 12 reached the finals. Premiere Academy stood out for its outstanding creativity, teamwork, and technical ability, winning the Overall Best Award.
For their victory, the school received a cash prize of ₦500,000, the Overall Best School Trophy, and a collection of educational books and learning materials.
This year’s event also introduced the “Energy on Wheels Project for Schools”. This mobile program aims to bring energy education straight to classrooms all over Nigeria.
After the award ceremony, Premiere Academy's Principal, Mr Chris Akinsowon said:
“This achievement strengthens Premiere Academy’s reputation for academic excellence, innovation, and well-rounded education. Our students’ success shows the quality of teaching and support from our dedicated staff and supportive parents.
“We appreciate the board for creating opportunities for students to excel outside the classroom. This is clear proof of our goal to develop confident, innovative, and globally competitive leaders.”
NNPC Foundation's Managing Director, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, commended the creativity shown:
“Participants presented solutions like solar-powered devices, clean cooking technologies, mini-grid ideas, and waste-to-energy systems.
The Battle of the Energy Titans is not just a competition. It is building a new generation of ‘energypreneurs’ who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to shape Africa’s energy future.”
OLOGED Initiative Executive Director, Onome Wilkinson, pointed out that YES-Fest encourages both science and arts students to share their ideas in the energy field.
“This initiative helps students grasp energy’s importance in powering homes and economies while pushing them to solve real access issues,” she said.
Important guests at the final competition included Lady Florence Wenegieme, the Chairman of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board, and Mr Bolaji Wellington, the Technical Assistant to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth Engagement. Other principals from participating schools and education stakeholders were also present.
Premiere Academy’s win highlights its role as a top institution that is preparing future leaders who can solve problems for Nigeria and beyond.
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