St. Mary's Seminary Lolobi clinches Oti's final NSMQ slot with commanding regional victory

St. Mary's Seminary Senior High School in Lolobi has secured the last available qualification spot from the Oti Region to compete at the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz National Championship, following a decisive performance in the regional final qualifier.

The Lolobi-based institution dominated the competition, finishing with 32 points to edge out two other strong contenders. Their victory caps off the regional qualification process and completes the roster of Oti Region schools that will represent the region at the national level.

How the competition unfolded

The final Oti Regional qualifier saw three schools battle for the coveted qualification slot. St. Mary's Seminary's 32-point haul proved decisive, putting them ahead of second-placed Nkwanta Senior High School, which accumulated 23 points. Oti Senior High Technical School rounded out the podium in third position with 16 points. The tight margins between the top finishers underscore the competitive nature of regional NSMQ qualifiers across Ghana, where schools must demonstrate excellence in science and mathematics knowledge to progress.

What this means for St. Mary's Seminary and the region

St. Mary's Seminary's qualification is a significant achievement for the school and reflects the strength of its science and mathematics programmes. The school will now join other Oti Region qualifiers in preparing for the national championship, where they will face off against some of Ghana's most academically accomplished secondary institutions. The NSMQ remains one of the country's most prestigious academic competitions, and regional representation at the national stage carries considerable prestige for participating schools and their communities.

For Oti SHTS and Nkwanta SHS, the regional stage marked the end of their 2026 NSMQ campaigns, though their participation contributes to the broader culture of academic excellence in science and mathematics across the region. Regional qualifiers serve as important platforms for identifying and nurturing talented students in STEM subjects, benefiting schools and communities even when national qualification is not achieved.

The broader NSMQ landscape

The 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz continues to draw intense competition from schools across all sixteen administrative regions of Ghana. Regional qualifiers determine which schools will compete for the national title, making each regional final a high-stakes event. Schools that secure qualification must then prepare rigorously for the national championship, where the standard of competition is notably elevated.

St. Mary's Seminary's success adds to the growing list of schools from the Oti Region building strong reputations in academic competitions. As the school prepares for the national stage, they will join their regional counterparts in representing Oti and showcasing the region's commitment to academic excellence.

The 2026 NSMQ promises to be another showcase of Ghana's brightest secondary school students competing in science and mathematics knowledge, with St. Mary's Seminary now positioned to make their mark on the national stage.