Nigerian programmer takes silver at first national appearance in Russian skills contest

Nigerian software programmer Olaniran Taiwo Sikiru has won a silver medal at the High-Tech Championship Final in Veliky Novgorod, Russia, Channels Television reported. Sikiru finished second in the Quality Control Specialist for Transport Logistics Processes competency. He competed as the official Nigerian participant, while Ojetimi Abdulfatai accompanied him as his mentor, expert and technical specialist.

The result came during Nigeria’s first participation in the championship. Channels Television described the appearance as a milestone for the country in international professional-skills competitions. The event was held from September 14 to 18, 2026.

It brought together more than 15,000 participants from 30 foreign countries, alongside representatives from all 89 regions of the Russian Federation, with competitions across 20 high-tech competencies. Although Sikiru is a software programmer, his category focused on quality control in transport logistics processes. The source described the discipline as involving professional and technological approaches to maintaining quality and efficiency in transport and logistics operations.

Sikiru and Abdulfatai’s participation was presented as opening a route for future Nigerian competitors. The supplied report did not provide details of the tasks, judging process, prize or the identity of the winning competitor.