GH¢120,000, scholarships, foreign trips await NSMQ 2026 finalists

The battle for the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) crown is not only about national pride and academic bragging rights, as the three finalists are also set to compete for an impressive package of rewards.

PRESEC-Legon, St Augustine’s College (AUGUSCO) and Accra Academy are the three schools that reached the grand finale, with several major incentives announced ahead of the highly anticipated showdown. Reports on the rewards indicate that the packages include GH¢120,000, scholarships and foreign trips.

The 2026 finale, held on September 10, brought together three of Ghana’s most celebrated second-cycle institutions in a contest that generated huge excitement among students, old students, parents and education enthusiasts.

GH¢120,000 up for grabs

Among the headline rewards is a GH¢120,000 cash package associated with the competition, adding another major incentive to an already fiercely contested academic battle.

The financial reward has further heightened interest in the contest, with old students and supporters rallying behind their respective schools as the finalists prepared to fight for national glory.

Scholarships add to the prize bonanza

The rewards go beyond cash.

Scholarship opportunities have also been lined up for students connected to the finalist schools. Accra Academy, in particular, was reported to have secured a full scholarship package, while other rewards were also announced in connection with the competing schools.

The scholarship offers mean that the benefits of the NSMQ final could extend well beyond the quiz itself, potentially supporting the academic ambitions of the students who have represented their schools on the national stage.

Foreign trips and vacation packages

The finalists also had foreign travel and vacation opportunities to look forward to, making the 2026 edition one of the most rewarding NSMQ finales in recent memory.

Starr FM reported that scholarships, GH¢120,000 and vacation opportunities were among the rewards awaiting the finalists, with old students also mobilising support for their respective schools.

The prospect of international travel adds another exciting dimension to the competition, giving the young contestants an opportunity to experience destinations and cultures beyond Ghana.

PRESEC, AUGUSCO and Accra Academy battle for glory

The three finalists entered the grand finale with different ambitions.

PRESEC-Legon was chasing another historic triumph after establishing itself as the dominant force in NSMQ history.

St Augustine’s College, popularly known as AUGUSCO, arrived with its own strong tradition and a determination to upset the favourites.

Accra Academy, meanwhile, sought to write its own chapter in the history of the competition by overcoming two highly decorated opponents.

The grand finale was therefore more than a quiz. It was a battle of academic excellence, school pride and history, with substantial rewards waiting at the finish line.

More than just a trophy

With cash, scholarships and travel opportunities on the table, the 2026 NSMQ finale offered the finalists much more than the coveted trophy.

For the students, it represented an opportunity to turn months of preparation, intense competition and academic discipline into rewards that could have a lasting impact on their educational journeys.

For the schools and their old students, it was another chance to demonstrate the strength of their academic traditions on Ghana’s biggest science and mathematics stage.

Three schools. Three brilliant teams. One coveted crown — and a remarkable package of rewards awaiting the stars of NSMQ 2026.