Students of selected secondary schools in Benin City, Edo State, outperformed a generative artificial intelligence system in a live academic contest designed to test knowledge recall, reasoning, judgment and collaborative problem-solving.
The South-South leg of the EDAT Quiz Challenge, organised by EDATECH in partnership with the Edo State Ministry of Education and the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria, began on January 27 and will end on March 27.
The competition featured 63 secondary schools, including Idia College, Edokpolor Grammar School, Ekosodin Senior Secondary School and Western Boys High School.
The live competition saw a format where structured human teams competed directly against a generative AI benchmark in a scored contest.
Each team comprised two students, a teacher and a parent, forming what was termed a Human Fusion Unit, designed to reflect a collective approach to learning.
The contest format extended beyond factual recall to include lateral thinking, ethical judgment and layered problem-solving.
At the end of the live round, the AI benchmark scored 3,840 points, while Imaguero College topped the human teams with 4,984 points, followed by Niger College with 3,888 points, while Uselu Secondary School scored 3,774 points.
Other strong performers included Paragon College, Ezomo College, Iyobo Girls College and Oghede Senior Secondary School.
Founder of EDATECH, Dr Sylvester Juwe, told The PUNCH that the initiative was conceived to broaden the purpose of learning beyond competition.
He explained that the objective was not merely about scores but about igniting deeper intellectual growth.
“Education is not just about winning a quiz, it’s about awakening curiosity, building confidence, and inspiring young minds to believe they can compete with the very best anywhere in the world,” he said.
Addressing the role of artificial intelligence, he stressed the need for balance in the digital age, stating, “In this AI era, true learning also means knowing when to leverage technology, and when to rely on your own critical thinking and judgment.”
The wife of the former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Maryann Shaibu, presented cash prizes to the top-performing schools.
She praised the initiative and expressed confidence in the younger generation while also underscoring the value of formal learning in an era of scepticism about education.
“You students are the people we are looking up to,” Shuaibu said.
“Some people are deceiving you that education is a scam, it is not, and at some point in your life, you will realise that you need education because it is what makes the difference and bridges the gap.”
Speakers at the event argued that AI served as a support tool while human judgment remained indispensable, particularly in areas requiring ethical and contextual interpretation.
One participant, Osarogue Emmanuel, described AI as a powerful academic resource when properly applied.
“It is very helpful and literally the best way to learn. When you give it the correct prompt, it will also give you explanations and can even test you on harder questions or even simpler ones.”
On concerns that AI might encourage examination malpractice, he rejected the idea that the technology itself was to blame, arguing that misuse depended on individual choices.
“It is not actually a fear; it’s for some students, not all students,” he said, noting that AI could also help learners understand concepts more quickly when used responsibly.
Personalities at the event also included media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo, Olympic gold medallist Chioma Ajunwa, sprinter Olusoji Fasuba and long jumper Ese Brume.
Following the live contest, participating schools have been assigned community-based projects addressing local issues such as waste management, youth mentorship, wellbeing for young adults and community health.
The tasks require students to engage with parents, grandparents and other community members, extending the competition beyond the venue into households across the state.
