NSMQ 2026: Ghanata SHS secure one-eighth spot as O’Reilly blames defeat on maths errors

On Day Two of the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) preliminary contest at the School of Medical Sciences Auditorium, Ghanata Senior High School (Ghanata SHS) emerged victorious, edging out O’Reilly Senior High School (O’Reilly SHS) and Yendi SHS. The contest began tightly, with Ghanata SHS leading by seven points after the first round.

By Round Two, they had widened their lead to 32 points, leaving O’Reilly at 18 points and Yendi trailing at 10 points. Round Three presented O’Reilly with an opportunity to reduce the gap, but Ghanata SHS maintained their dominance, accumulating 36 points compared to O’Reilly's 20 and Yendi's 15. The Problem of the Day round brought a surprise, with Yendi outperforming both Ghanata SHS and O’Reilly, scoring 5 points out of 10.

O’Reilly managed only 2 points, leaving them with a steep climb ahead. Ghanata SHS extended their lead to 44 points in Round Four, while O’Reilly soared to 36 points. Yendi maintained their position at 22 points. The final round saw Ghanata SHS emerge triumphant with 51 points, O’Reilly securing 43 points, and Yendi concluding with 22 points.

Despite the upset, O’Reilly's coordinator Gad Ashiagbor attributed their defeat to a nervous start during the mathematics questions in Round One, believing his team had the answers but was affected by tension. Their 43 points might still be sufficient to keep their NSMQ campaign alive, as only the top five runners-up advance to the One-Eighth Stage.