In a remarkable display of academic prowess and innovative thinking, a team of undergraduates from Baze University in Abuja has clinched the national title at the prestigious AICPA & CIMA CGMA Nigeria Business Challenge 2025. The victorious squad, known as 'The Revenants,' outperformed competitors from top universities across Nigeria to win prizes with a combined value exceeding ₦20 million.
Strategic Victory with AI-Powered Solution
The annual competition, designed for undergraduate students, tasks participants with solving a complex, real-world business case study. The 2025 edition presented a formidable challenge: developing a practical strategy for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by 'Cipherwel,' a hypothetical global security company operating in over 132 countries.
The Baze University team, comprising Ugochukwu Udorji, Ninma Kolo, Jasmine Iliya, Tiffany Beh-Nubel, and their Course Adviser, Francis Onyilo, excelled through all three competitive stages. Their winning proposal, titled "Cipherwel: A Bold New Strategy – AI Adoption for Business Growth," was praised by judges for its strategic depth, innovation, and real-world applicability.
According to a statement from Baze University, the team achieved a near-perfect score, earning 296 out of 300 points in the Assessment Category and 27 out of 30 in the Employability Category. This reflected both the strength of their business analysis and the judges' confidence in their professional readiness.
Defeating Defending Champions for the Crown
The road to victory was highly competitive. Over 60 teams from 10 top Nigerian universities initially participated, progressing through rigorous University and Regional Rounds. In the intense national final held in Abuja, The Revenants faced off against formidable opponents, including teams from Covenant University—the defending champions from the 2024 edition—and Thomas Adewumi University.
Their innovative AI strategy ultimately secured them the 2025 championship title, underscoring Baze University's growing reputation for fostering excellence in business, finance, and strategic thinking.
Life-Changing Prizes and Career Prospects
As the overall national winners, the students were awarded transformative prizes designed to launch their professional careers. The team received a ₦1 million cash prize. Furthermore, each team member was granted a full scholarship to complete the CGMA Finance Leadership Program (FLP) professional qualification.
This scholarship is valued at approximately £3,000 per student, bringing the total prize value for the team to an estimated ₦20 million. The CGMA designation is a globally recognised credential awarded by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, which represents over 698,000 members in 188 countries.
This victory not only brings honour to the students and their institution but also significantly enhances their career trajectories in the global fields of management accounting and business strategy.
