For eight seasons, InterswitchSPAK has demonstrated how focused investment in innovation, education, and opportunity can deliver lasting impact. Since its launch in 2018, the competition has evolved from a bold initiative spotlighting Nigeria’s brightest senior secondary school students into one of the country’s most respected academic platforms, redefining how excellence in STEM education is recognised and rewarded.
From the beginning, InterswitchSPAK was designed to be more than a routine academic competition. It was conceived to challenge conventional narratives, affirming that brilliance can emerge from any classroom, that merit deserves visibility, and that Nigeria’s long-term progress depends on intentionally nurturing talent in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Over seven seasons, the competition has reached students across all regions of the country, creating a truly national stage where performance, discipline, and intellectual curiosity determine success. Beyond competing for scholarships and prizes, participants gain the confidence, exposure, and motivation to pursue an ambitious future. Several erstwhile winners and finalists have secured full university scholarships and distinguished themselves in various fields including technology, healthcare, engineering, and scientific research.
Building on this legacy, registration for InterswitchSPAK 8.0 began in February and will close on Friday, May 24, 2026, and eligible Year 11 (SS2) secondary school students are encouraged to register before this closing date. For the first time ever, in addition to group registrations through schools, parents can also register their individual children for the competition.
This year’s edition introduces a scholarship pool exceeding ₦40 million, reflecting Interswitch’s sustained commitment to rewarding academic excellence at scale. The grand prize winner, first runner-up and second runner-up will receive ₦15 million, ₦10 million and ₦5 million respectively in tertiary scholarships spread over the course of 5 years, alongside laptops and other prizes for each of them. Furthermore, Interswitch has upped the ante this season by expanding the prize pool for students ranked fourth to ninth, as well as for teachers supporting the top 9 performing students, further reinforcing the critical role educators play in shaping Nigeria’s next generation of innovators.
Beyond immediate rewards, InterswitchSPAK’s long-term impact is unmistakable. By investing in students at a formative stage, the initiative cultivates analytical thinking, discipline, and problem-solving skills; capabilities that are increasingly vital in a technology-driven global economy.
Speaking on the initiative, Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications at Interswitch Group, said the programme reflects the company’s belief in education as a catalyst for national transformation.
“At Interswitch, we strongly believe that Nigeria’s future will be shaped by how well we nurture today’s young minds. InterswitchSPAK goes beyond competition; it is a long-term commitment to empowering students and supporting teachers who are laying the foundation for innovation, problem-solving, and national development. As we launch Season 8, we remain focused on creating opportunity, rewarding merit, and inspiring excellence across Nigeria,” she said.
Eromosele added that initiatives such as InterswitchSPAK are designed not only to celebrate excellence but also to build confidence and create pathways through which innovation can thrive.
Over time, the competition has also influenced Nigeria’s broader educational culture. Schools are increasingly prioritising academic rigour, parents are actively supporting intellectual curiosity, and students are taking pride in preparing and learning to brace up to the ultimate challenge. These are undeniable pointers to the immersive impact of the InterswitchSPAK initiative.
As it enters its eighth season, the competition continues to evolve while remaining true to its founding mission. Season 8 represents both continuity and renewal, an opportunity to discover new talent, celebrate emerging champions, and reaffirm the transformative power of education.
Interswitch encourages teachers, parents, and school administrators to support eligible students throughout the registration process, emphasising the power of early support in shaping life-changing outcomes.
Registration for InterswitchSPAK 8.0 is now open, with senior secondary school students invited to register at www.interswitchspak.com ahead of the May 24th, 2026 deadline.
Through InterswitchSPAK, Interswitch continues to invest in Nigeria’s education ecosystem, empowering the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators to compete, excel, and lead on both national and global levels.