The Nigerian Economics Olympiad was not created in isolation. It was built on the foundation of an existing structure—the International Academy for the Gifted—which had already been running mathematics competitions.

This approach ensured an immediate base of interested schools and students, accelerating the competition’s growth.

One of the key lessons from Nigeria’s approach is the importance of leveraging existing educational networks. For those looking to establish an Economics Olympiad in their country, tapping into existing student competitions or academic communities can provide a head start.

While government support can be beneficial, Adewale’s team deliberately avoids direct government funding since in this case governmental structures often start to dictate the selection process. Instead, the competition operates through private sponsorships and participant contributions, ensuring that only the most talented students qualify.

However, the team collaborates with public schools by allowing them to nominate their best students for free participation.

This hybrid model of selective government collaboration while maintaining operational independence is a best practice for organizers seeking both fairness and sustainability.

One of the hallmarks of the Nigerian Economics Olympiad is its structured, multi-stage selection process. It consists of:

1. First Round: Open to all students, with a cutoff score determining qualification for the next stage.
2. Second Round: More challenging, and qualifiers receive a bronze medal.
3. Third Round: Even tougher, with silver medals awarded to top performers.
4. Final Round: The top five students are selected to represent Nigeria internationally, receiving gold medals and plaques.

By progressively increasing the difficulty and rewarding achievements at each stage, the system keeps students motivated and ensures only the most dedicated reach the international level.

A particularly innovative practice in Nigeria’s competition is its use of performance analytics. After each round, Adewale’s team compiles a report identifying the most challenging topics for students.

Teachers receive detailed feedback on common misconceptions and weak areas, helping them refine their instruction.

This data-driven approach benefits both the competition and the education system at large. Other organizers can replicate this by using diagnostic tools to track performance trends and tailor future training sessions accordingly.

Although the competition is relatively young, Nigeria has started incorporating training camps and alumni engagement, inspired by best practices from math competitions. During these "gifted camps" in summer, alumni would return to mentor new students. While this practice has not yet been fully implemented for the Economics Olympiad, the vision is to create a structured training camp to prepare students more effectively.

This highlights the importance of long-term mentorship. Countries aiming to develop a strong Economics Olympiad team should consider training programs where past winners guide future participants.

For those looking to establish an Economics Olympiad in their country, Adewale offers practical advice:

• Start with a few select schools. Engaging schools already excelling in economics helps build credibility.
• Invest in teacher training. “In Nigeria, teachers focus only on ordinary level topics, so we bring in university lecturers to help train them for advanced levels,” he says.
• Make the competition structured but open. Having a tiered system ensures that top students naturally rise to the international level.
• Use performance analytics. Tracking weak areas can help improve both students and the education system as a whole.

The Nigerian Economics Olympiad exemplifies how a well-structured, independent, and data-driven competition can elevate gifted students. Through best practices such as leveraging existing platforms, maintaining selection integrity, using data analysis, and fostering mentorship, Nigeria has created a model that can inspire similar initiatives worldwide. As the program continues to grow, its success serves as a testament to the power of strategic planning and dedication in education.