In a dazzling display of brilliance and creativity, 16-year-old Opabiyi Josephine of the Federal College of Education Abeokuta, Model Secondary School, has emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 TeensThink International Essay Competition, beating over 100 teenage participants from across four African nations.
Josephine’s thought-provoking essay on the theme “Humanity and Artificial Intelligence: How Can a Blend of the Two Make the World a Better Place – A Teen’s Perspective” earned her the top prize with a score of 82 points, impressing a panel of judges with its originality, clarity, and ethical insight. Her work stood out among entries from Nigeria, Liberia, Kenya, and Cameroon.
Held in Lagos, the grand finale marked the climax of the fifth edition of the annual competition, which is fast becoming one of Africa’s most prestigious platforms for amplifying teenage voices on global issues.
Trailing closely behind Josephine were Eniola Kananfo of Ota Total Academy, who secured second place with 81 points, and Oghenerugba Akpabor-Okoro of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary, Ikorodu, who came third with 80 points.
Winners were rewarded with brand-new laptops, books, rechargeable fans, Scrabble sets, and cash prizes. In addition, their essays will be published on reputable educational platforms to inspire wider conversations around the future of artificial intelligence, empathy, and ethics.
Speaking at the event, David Olesin, Founder and Convener of TeensThink, described the competition as a platform designed to unlock the creativity, critical thinking, and leadership potential of teenagers in a tech-driven world.
“TeensThink is about preparing teenagers to lead with knowledge, empathy, and ethical responsibility. These young minds are not just the future – they are actively shaping it,” Olesin said.
One of the event’s high points was the official launch of QuestAIKids, a groundbreaking free AI learning platform for African children, unveiled by keynote speaker Dr. Celestine Achi, CEO of Cihan Media Communications and a leading voice for AI education on the continent.
“The future is being written now. Our young people must not only read it – they must write it,” Dr. Achi said.
“Artificial intelligence must be shaped by human values, and no generation is better placed to do this than the one that will live longest with its consequences.”
The finale was not just an academic gathering but a vibrant showcase of youth talent, featuring artistic performances from Anyangbemisola the Drummer Girl, saxophonist Demilade Adepegba, and teenage rapper Young T, blending art with intellect in an inspiring celebration of African creativity and intellect.
Chairman of the TeensThink Advisory Committee, Dr. Adeboye Adeyemi, hailed the finalists as “today’s thinkers building tomorrow’s solutions.”
“This competition proves that our teenagers are not passive dreamers but active participants in shaping Africa’s future,” he said.
As the curtain fell on the 2025 edition, the TeensThink team announced ambitious plans to expand the programme’s reach across the continent through strategic partnerships with ministries of education, innovation hubs, and mentorship programmes.
The competition was proudly supported by corporate sponsors including SLOT, STL Trustees, Nigerian Breweries, Coronation, Tulcan Energy, MTN, and MultiChoice, whose commitment to youth development continues to spark meaningful change.
The TeensThink International Essay Competition is not just a contest—it is a movement. One that continues to empower Africa’s brightest young minds to lead boldly, think deeply, and build a future where humanity and technology thrive in harmony.