About YCoM

The Young Champions of Mathematics (YCoM) Foundation is a nonprofit educational organization committed to promoting excellence in Mathematics through competitions, innovative learning programmes, mentorship, educational outreach, and strategic partnerships.

Founded on the belief that every child can succeed in Mathematics when given the right support and opportunities, YCoM is working to change the way young learners see and experience Mathematics.

We create opportunities for students to build confidence, think critically, solve problems, discover their abilities, and develop a lasting interest in Mathematics and STEM.

Through collaboration with schools, teachers, parents, government institutions, professional bodies, corporate organizations, foundations, and other stakeholders, YCoM is building a growing community around Mathematics and creating opportunities for young learners to Think, Solve, and Excel.

The YCoM Philosophy

Beyond the Classroom, Into Real Life

Mathematics is more than a school subject. It is a powerful tool for developing the way young people think, reason, create, and solve problems.

YCoM uses Mathematics as a vehicle for developing confidence, logical reasoning, creativity, discipline, and problem solving.

We believe that while every child may not become a mathematician, every child can become a better thinker through Mathematics.

Our competitions, training programmes, mentorship activities, enrichment programmes, and educational outreach are designed to make Mathematics engaging, practical, accessible, and rewarding.

We want young learners to move from asking, “Why do I need Mathematics?” to discovering, “What can I do with Mathematics?”

Our Journey

 2025: The Maiden Edition

The maiden edition of YCoM established the foundation for what has become a growing Mathematics movement.

Held in collaboration with Junior Secondary School Kurudu, Abuja, the competition brought together *113 students from 16 public and private secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory*.

Students participated in a Computer Based Test covering areas such as Number and Numeration, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics, Probability, Logical Reasoning, and Problem Solving.

The competition provided students with an opportunity to demonstrate their mathematical abilities, develop confidence, and experience healthy academic competition.

The maiden edition also featured a career talk by a representative of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Maitama Branch, helping students understand the practical relevance of Mathematics in the 21st century.

The programme received participation and encouragement from the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board and gained television visibility through *Our World on AIT*, with broadcasts across DStv, GOtv, and StarTimes.

2026: The Second Edition

The second edition built on the foundation of 2025 and demonstrated significant growth.

*204 students from 19 schools* participated in the Computer Based Test qualifying round, with *16 students advancing to the Grand Finale*. Girls represented 57 percent of the participants, while boys represented 43 percent.

The Grand Finale was held on *20 June 2026* at the Multipurpose Hall of Junior Secondary School Kurudu, Abuja, under the theme:

“Mathematics, the Foundation of Every Creative Mind.”

The competition featured Computer Based Testing, Mathematics challenges, speed rounds, Abacus Mental Mathematics, recognition of outstanding students, and engagement with teachers, parents, education stakeholders, partners, and community leaders.

The second edition also strengthened YCoM’s network of institutional and corporate partners. The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service supported the initiative, while Isuan Agro Estate sponsored awards and certificates for outstanding participants. Representatives of FCT UBEB, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, and the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools also participated in the programme.

Our Impact So Far

Across its first two editions, YCoM has recorded *317 student participations*, growing from 113 students in 2025 to 204 students in 2026. Participation has involved both public and private schools across the Federal Capital Territory.

Beyond the numbers, YCoM has helped to:

* Increase students’ interest in Mathematics.

* Build greater confidence among learners who previously struggled with Mathematics.

* Encourage logical reasoning, creativity, accuracy, speed, and problem solving.

* Promote healthy academic competition among schools.

* Provide opportunities for students to demonstrate abilities beyond the traditional classroom.

* Distribute educational materials and souvenirs to participants.

* Recognize and reward outstanding students, teachers, and schools.

* Provide Mathematics enrichment through Abacus Mental Mathematics, Speed Mathematics, Computer Based Testing, practical problem solving, and mentorship.

YCoM has also seen increased engagement with Mathematics activities in participating schools. In the founder’s school, participation in the Mathematics Club increased from fewer than 50 students to approximately 80 to 100 students after the introduction of YCoM related activities.

Celebrating Students and the Teachers Behind Them

At YCoM, we believe that outstanding students do not succeed alone.

Behind many young champions are teachers who spend extra time teaching, mentoring, encouraging, and preparing their students.

For this reason, the 2026 edition went beyond recognizing outstanding students. *Teachers of winning students were also presented with cash tokens as a gesture of appreciation for their dedication and contribution to their students’ success.*

This reflects an important part of our philosophy: when we celebrate a young champion, we should also remember the people who helped that champion get there.

As YCoM grows, we intend to strengthen teacher recognition through the planned *YCoM Teacher of the Year Award*, which will celebrate Mathematics teachers who demonstrate dedication, innovation, creativity, mentorship, and outstanding contributions to students’ learning outcomes.

Making Mathematics More Inclusive

YCoM believes that talent exists everywhere and that disability should never prevent a child from discovering and demonstrating that talent.

As part of our next phase, YCoM plans to launch the *Special Young Champions of Mathematics (SYCoM), an initiative designed specifically to create opportunities for **visually impaired learners and other young learners with disabilities*.

Through accessible learning materials, adapted competition formats, assistive technologies, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, we hope to provide these learners with meaningful opportunities to discover, develop, and showcase their mathematical abilities.

Our ambition is simple:

*No child should be left behind because of disability, gender, background, or financial circumstances.*

 Supporting Girls in Mathematics

Girls have participated strongly in YCoM. In the 2026 edition, girls accounted for *57 percent of all participants*.

However, because the overall champions in both the 2025 and 2026 editions were boys, YCoM sees an opportunity to do more.

We plan to develop the *Girls’ Champions of Mathematics (GCoM)* initiative to provide additional mentorship, enrichment opportunities, leadership development, encouragement, and recognition for outstanding female learners.

Our goal is to help more girls build confidence in Mathematics and see themselves as future scientists, engineers, mathematicians, innovators, technologists, and leaders.

Reaching More Young Learners

The first two editions have given YCoM valuable experience and demonstrated the potential of the initiative.

Our next phase is about taking that experience further.

We aim to reach more schools and underserved communities across the Federal Capital Territory and progressively expand to other parts of Nigeria through stronger collaboration with government agencies, schools, corporate organizations, foundations, professional bodies, development partners, parents, and individuals.

Our priorities include:

* Expanding the YCoM Mathematics Competition.

* Reaching more public and underserved schools.

* Developing inclusive Mathematics programmes for visually impaired learners and other learners with disabilities.

* Strengthening Mathematics training and enrichment programmes.

* Expanding mentorship and career awareness opportunities.

* Encouraging more girls to excel in Mathematics and STEM.

* Recognizing and supporting outstanding Mathematics teachers.

* Providing educational materials and learning resources to students.

* Building stronger digital and technology supported assessment systems.

* Taking the YCoM experience to more communities across Nigeria.

Partnerships That Create Possibilities

YCoM is built on collaboration.

Our work has already attracted support and participation from schools, parents, education stakeholders, professional bodies, corporate organizations, government institutions, community leaders, and media organizations.

We are grateful to every partner and supporter who has contributed to the growth of YCoM.

We believe the next level of impact will require stronger partnerships.

A partnership with YCoM is not simply support for a Mathematics competition. It is an opportunity to invest in young people, encourage teachers, promote inclusive education, support STEM development, and help build the problem solvers and innovators Nigeria needs.

National Visibility

YCoM has begun to attract public and media attention.

Both editions of the competition received television coverage on *Our World on AIT, with broadcasts across DStv, GOtv, and StarTimes. The second edition also received coverage in **Daily Champion Newspaper* and *Daily Echoes*, increasing public awareness of the initiative and its contribution to Mathematics education.

This growing visibility provides an opportunity to tell more stories of young mathematical talent and inspire millions of other learners.

Our Vision

We envision a Nigeria where young people see Mathematics not as a subject to fear, but as a tool for understanding the world, solving problems, creating opportunities, and shaping the future.

We envision a Mathematics community where talent is discovered regardless of background, gender, disability, or financial circumstances.

We envision schools where students are encouraged to think deeply, teachers are celebrated for their impact, and Mathematics is taught in ways that make learners curious, confident, and creative.

And we envision YCoM growing from a Mathematics competition into a recognizable national movement that inspires young people across Nigeria to *Think. Solve. Excel.*

Join the YCoM Movement

YCoM is growing, but the vision is bigger than what we have achieved so far.

We invite schools, parents, teachers, government institutions, corporate organizations, foundations, development partners, professional bodies, philanthropists, and individuals to join us.

You can support a student.

You can support a school.

You can support a teacher.

You can help make Mathematics accessible to a visually impaired learner.

You can provide learning materials.

You can sponsor an award.

You can support technology and assessment.

You can help us take YCoM to another community.

Every contribution helps create another opportunity for a young person to discover what they can do.

Together, we can make Mathematics exciting.

Together, we can discover more young champions.

Together, we can build a generation of confident thinkers, capable problem solvers, innovators, and future leaders.

  THINK. SOLVE. EXCEL.

*Young Champions of Mathematics (YCoM) Educational Foundation*

Website: [www.ycomedu.org](http://www.ycomedu.org)
Email: [info@ycomedu.org](mailto:info@ycomedu.org)
Phone: 07039055984 | 08112442806