Nigeria to be represented at the Microsoft World Specialist Competition
Six students to represent Nigeria at the 21st Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship.
By Naomi Salami
Since it began in 2002, students from more than 150 different countries have competed in the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship. In 2022, the competition in Anaheim, California, had over a million competitors, with ages ranging from 13 to 22.
Two students were chosen to represent Nigeria in the 20th edition of the Microsoft World Specialist Competition. They were, Students of City of Knowledge Academy, Ogun State, Aliyah Adunola and Divine Ihonde. The contestants were chosen after their performance at the National competition conducted in Nigeria.
This year, the competition will be held in Disney World, Orlando, Florida, USA, from July 30 to August 2, 2023. The six students that will represent Nigeria in the competition have already been selected. They are Bolurinwa Fabuyi from City of Knowledge Academy, Ogun State, Victor Omoyajowo, Adesuwa Igbinedion, Daniel Uzugbo, and Aderinsola Adeegbe from Faith Academy in Canaanland, Ogun State, and Fenna Nwokeji from Aduvie International School in Abuja.
They would be accompanied by two ICT teachers, Mr Olusola Ajayi of Aduvie International School, Abuja, and Mrs Victoria Adebayo of Faith Academy, Ota, Ogun State.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of ReadManna Empowerment Initiative, Edna Agusto, organiser of the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship for Students in Nigeria, she said Nigeria has come 2nd and 3rd in the World Championship in the past 14 years and had finished in the top 10 places nearly every year.
According to her, “Certified MOS users will become proficient in the use of Microsoft Office programs, thereby improving their chances of becoming gainfully employed in today’s digital world. It is globally recognised and gives certified users the opportunity to apply for jobs anywhere in the World. MOS certification also provides a solid foundation for advanced ICT training and certified users will be able to pursue training in advanced computer technologies.”
“Technology is best when it brings people together,” stated Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic and founder of WordPress. Microsoft appears to be in line with this quote, and they are moving the world into the future by strengthening the foundations of diverse countries and delivering incredible opportunities to all.
The Championship is sponsored annually in Nigeria by Zenith Bank PLC, Agusto Consulting Limited, and Airtel PLC and it challenges students to be proficient in Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and Microsoft Excel.
