Olasukanmi Esther has emerged the overall winner of the 2026 Big Brain Festac competition emerging as the best female and overall winner, which held in Festac Town, Lagos.
The grand finale tagged “The Ultimate Battle of Minds” held on September 2, 2026, at 23 Road Park, Hennessy Court, brought together outstanding young minds for a keenly contested intellectual competition designed to test knowledge, speed, confidence, strategy and critical thinking.
Held under the theme “Think. Strategize. Conquer. Win!”, the competition sought to create a platform where academic excellence could be celebrated and rewarded in a society where young people are often encouraged to pursue success primarily through entertainment and popular culture.
Olasukanmi Esther delivered the standout performance of the competition to emerge best female and overall winner, receiving a combined ₦1.5 million prize.
Sadiq Miqdad emerged as best male, winning ₦500,000 for his outstanding performance.
Betiku Adedolapo Mary finished in second position, receiving ₦300,000, while Obi Divine Favor took third position and received ₦200,000.
The prize structure reflected the organisers’ commitment to making intellectual excellence not only visible but financially rewarding.
Big Brain Festac was conceived as more than a conventional quiz competition. It provided young people with an opportunity to demonstrate their intellectual abilities before an audience while competing for substantial financial rewards and educational opportunities.
The event featured intense quiz sessions and challenging rounds requiring participants to draw on their knowledge, quick thinking and strategic ability.
For the organisers, the objective was to send a simple but important message to young people: academic excellence can be celebrated, rewarded and become a pathway to success.
According to Maha Azubuike (MC Totori), Convener, Big Brain Festac:
“If society can put money, fame and applause behind entertainment, we must also put money behind intelligence. Big Brain Festac is our way of showing young people that you can study, excel academically, win scholarships and still win in life. We want intelligence to trend”.
The Big Brain Festac received support from sponsors who shared the vision of investing in young people and creating platforms for intellectual development.
According to Victoria Ezenwoke, UBA Representative:
“Supporting Big Brain Festac is an investment in the potential of young Nigerians. We want to encourage a generation that is confident, knowledgeable and prepared to lead, innovate and make a difference.”
According to Udia Attai of Players Management Group (PMG):
“Big Brain Festac reminds us that excellence is not limited to the sporting field. We are proud to support a platform that celebrates intelligence, discipline and the competitive spirit of young people.”
Their support helped strengthen the competition’s ability to recognise and reward outstanding performances while reinforcing the broader message of investing in Nigeria’s younger generation.
Big Brain Festac represents an extension of that commitment—using his public platform to promote a culture in which knowledge, discipline and intellectual ability receive the recognition they deserve.
