In 2022, 14-year-old Oluwatimilehin Charles Taileatu rose to national prominence. Then an SS2 student of Oritamefa Baptist Model School in Ibadan, Oyo State, the boy first emerged as the overall best in the South West edition of the NNPC Quiz Competition and was later adjudged Second Best at the national level. With his feats, Taileatu was rewarded with cash gifts at the zonal level and an education grant at the national level.
Although a quiz competition can be subject-specific, it is oftentimes general knowledge-based. Quiz competitions are meant to broaden learners’ knowledge with a view to making them well-rounded. So, participation in quiz competitions mandates students to go beyond the limits of their curriculum and pay attention to their history, geography, the evolution of their societies, as well as the exemplary and valorous deeds of their predecessors that shaped the past and continue to affect the future.
In Nigeria, general knowledge-based quiz competitions are usually centred on heroes such as:
Mr Herbert Macaulay – a nationalist
Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe – Nigeria’s first President
Sir Tafawa Balewa – Nigeria’s only Prime Minister
Chief Obafemi Awolowo – first Premier of Western Region
Sir Ahmadu Bello – Premier of Northern Region
Chief Michael Okpara – Premier of Eastern Region
Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola – second Premier of Western Region
Chief Anthony Enahoro – first to move the motion for Nigeria’s independence
Gen. Yakubu Gowon – Nigeria’s wartime military Head of State
Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo – former military Head of State and civilian President
Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti – women’s rights activist
Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola – hero of Nigeria’s democracy
Mrs Margaret Ekpo – women’s rights activist
Chief Gani Fawehinmi – human rights activist
Hajiya Gambo Sawaba – women’s rights activist
General knowledge-based quiz competitions in Oyo State also feature names such as:
General David Jemibewon – former military governor
Chief Bola Ige – former governor of old Oyo State
Dr Omololu Olunloyo – former governor of old Oyo State
General Oladayo Popoola – former military governor
Chief Kolapo Ishola – former governor of Oyo State
Alhaji Lamidi Adesina – former governor
Senator Rasidi Ladoja – former governor
Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala – former governor
Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi – former governor
However, since general knowledge questions are not only about who ruled when or where, but more about who accomplished what and when, I posit that future general knowledge questions about Oyo State would look somewhat like the following:
Question: Who upgraded Ibadan Airport to international status?
Answer: Seyi Makinde
Question: Who constructed the Ibadan Circular Road?
Answer: Seyi Makinde
