By DAYO ADESULU
Nigerian Teen Wins UK Young Coders International Competition Award
A Nigerian secondary school student, Ezugwu Ifunanya Joy, has placed Nigeria and Africa on the global technology map after securing third position worldwide at the UK Young Coders International Competition.
The Enugu State-born student, who attends Shining Lord’s College, Lagos emerged first in Nigeria and across Africa, making her project the only African entry to reach the final stage of the prestigious global coding contest.
Her game, titled Save It Up, impressed international judges with its creativity, educational value, and practical approach to financial literacy for children.
How “Save It Up” Won Global Recognition
The award-winning project was developed under the competition’s 2025 theme, “Budgeting Better,” which required participants to design a game that teaches children how to save money.
Rather than create a simple educational tool, Ifunanya built an interactive and engaging game that combines fun with financial learning.
In Save It Up, players must save a required number of coins to unlock new levels. Along the way, they face spending decisions — such as purchasing songs from an in-game shop. However, every purchase reduces their savings and may prevent them from advancing.
At the end of the game, players who successfully save enough coins earn access to a virtual concert. Through this structure, the game teaches children:
- Smart spending habits
- Budget planning
- Delayed gratification
- The importance of saving
Her innovation earned her third place globally, while also clinching first position in Nigeria and Africa.
“I’m really elated that our diligence and determination were recognized,” she said, reflecting on the achievement.
A Promise Fulfilled
The global win also fulfilled a promise made a year earlier.
According to Ifunanya, during a 2024 graduation ceremony, their coding facilitator assured parents that the school would soon win a global competition. One year later, that declaration became reality.
The competition took place online in 2025, with submissions made through secure school profile accounts after generating unique codes.
Two Students Represented the School
Only two students represented Shining Lord’s College at the competition: Ifunanya and her co-coder, Fowowe Wisdom Victor.
At the time of the contest:
- Ifunanya was 15 years old and in SS1
- Wisdom was 14 years old and in JSS2
Despite their young ages, the duo competed against international participants and stood out globally.
A School Building Future Coders
Shining Lord’s Schools, which has existed for about 30 years, introduced coding as a subject in 2023. That decision is already yielding results.
The school’s investment in technology education created the platform that allowed Ifunanya to discover and develop her passion for programming.
The Mentor Behind the Success
Central to her journey is her coding facilitator, Mr. John Patrick Okon.
Ifunanya described him not just as a teacher but as a mentor whose resilience and dedication shaped her growth.
Even while undergoing leg surgery close to the competition deadline, Mr. Okon continued training the students online. He worked with them to debug their codes and ensured they stayed focused.
When distractions became a concern, the school principal, Mr. Ngozi Okoh, provided a separate workspace to help the team concentrate fully.
That level of support, she said, made all the difference.
“He assured us we could win a global competition if we were determined,” she recalled.
Overcoming Technical Challenges
The journey was not without obstacles.
One major challenge involved debugging errors in the game’s code. When independent troubleshooting and online tutorials failed, she collaborated with her facilitator to resolve the issues.
Another setback occurred when her laptop suddenly went blank while finalizing the project. With time running out, she switched to a teacher’s laptop to complete the submission successfully.
Those moments, she explained, strengthened her patience and problem-solving skills.
Inspired by Global Tech Leaders
Ifunanya’s passion for coding began long before it became a school subject. However, structured lessons helped her understand how to begin.
She also draws inspiration from global tech innovators such as and , whose work in software development motivates her to dream bigger.
Advice to Nigerian Youth
Following her global success, the young coder has a clear message for Nigerian youths.
She urged aspiring programmers not to feel intimidated or believe there is no space for them in the tech industry.
“If you love what you’re doing, keep doing it,” she advised. “Your ideas are still needed. No one can play your role better than you.”
She emphasized diligence, resilience, and perseverance as the keys to success, noting that challenges are inevitable but must not define one’s journey.
Future Ambitions
Looking ahead, Ifunanya hopes to become a software engineer. She plans to design innovative applications, games, and digital tools that solve real-world problems and make learning more enjoyable.
Her story underscores the growing potential of young Nigerian tech talents and highlights the impact of early coding education in schools.
As Nigeria continues to expand its digital footprint, stories like Ifunanya’s show that global excellence is possible — even from a classroom in Enugu State.
Her victory at the UK Young Coders International Competition signals more than personal achievement. It reflects the rise of African innovation on the global stage.
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