Nigerian teen makes historic breakthrough in $400,000 global science competition

Daniel Adeluyi, a brilliant young Nigerian student, has advanced to the semi-finals of the 2025 Breakthrough Junior Challenge, which is one of the world’s most prestigious global science competitions for teenagers. From thousands of entries worldwide, only 30 semi-finalists were selected, and Daniel is the first Nigerian in the competition’s 11-year history to reach this remarkable stage.

Daniel’s submission, a visually engaging, two-minute video, explains wormholes simply and intuitively. Why wormholes? In his words:

“For me, wormholes represent a path to reaching the seemingly unreachable. I’ve always been a curious person and an avid reader, and books about space, physics, and the mysteries of the universe fascinate me. I find it interesting that physics can turn ideas that seem impossible into things that could be real. I love adventure, and my passion for science and media intersected perfectly in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge.”

The stakes are enormous:

• $250,000 university scholarship for the winner
• $50,000 prize for the teacher
• $100,000 state-of-the-art science laboratory for the school

Daniel is on the verge of making history, and he needs public support to reach the finals. He has developed interests across academics, leadership, and creative activities. He previously served as the Assistant Head Boy at Brickhall School, Abuja, where he received the Chairman’s Award for Academic Excellence during his graduation ceremony.

Daniel captains his estate’s U18 football team and also enjoys basketball. In addition, he taught himself to play the keyboard and has composed a number of original pieces, reflecting his willingness to explore different skills and hobbies.

Daniel is the founder of BRAINS (Building Real-world Artificial Intelligence and Next-generation Skills), a youth-focused nonprofit that provides children with early exposure to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. His mission is to help younger students develop confidence and curiosity about the future of work.

Read also: Understanding Danielle Dubem’s passion for relatable, authentic stories

A Passion for Learning, Storytelling, and Discovery

Daniel credits his communication skills to his habit of consuming high-quality educational content. He frequently watches National Geographic and history documentaries, and enjoys reading scientific classics such as A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking.

These resources, he says, shaped his ability to connect complex ideas and present them in clear and engaging ways, skills essential to the Breakthrough Junior Challenge. Since 2021, Daniel has also volunteered in his church (The Capital Assembly’s) media unit, where he gained hands-on experience in storytelling and content production.

These skills played a direct role in the polished science video that earned him global recognition.

Call for Public Support

To advance to the final round, Daniel needs likes on his video posted on both the Breakthrough Prize Facebook page and YouTube channel. The submission with the highest combined engagement gets a guaranteed spot in the finals.

Daniel is calling on Nigerians at home and abroad to support his journey. “I would be very grateful if people would watch my video and like it on both platforms if they enjoy it,” he said.

To vote, click here.