The National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) is one of Ghana’s most celebrated academic competitions, bringing together outstanding senior high school students to compete in science, mathematics, technology and critical thinking.
Organised by Primetime Limited, the competition has become a national symbol of academic excellence, teamwork and intellectual achievement.
According to GhanaRegions.com analyst, since the 1990s, the NSMQ has produced memorable champions, dramatic final rounds and fierce rivalries among some of Ghana’s leading senior high schools. Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon), Prempeh College, Mfantsipim School, Opoku Ware School and St. Peter’s Senior High School are among the institutions that have built impressive histories in the competition.
The 2026 edition has now concluded, adding another historic chapter to the NSMQ story. PRESEC-Legon won the 2026 championship to claim a record ninth national title, defeating Accra Academy and St. Augustine’s College in the Grand Finale.
This article presents the full year-by-year list of NSMQ national champions from the 1990s to 2026, together with the latest final standings and notable records.
Full List of NSMQ Winners from 1994 to 2026
The following table lists the national champions of the National Science and Maths Quiz by year, beginning with the earliest recorded champions in 1994.
| Year | NSMQ National Champion |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Prempeh College |
| 1995 | Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) |
| 1996 | Prempeh College |
| 1997 | Opoku Ware School |
| 1998 | Achimota School |
| 1999 | Mfantsipim School |
| 2000 | St. Peter’s Senior High School |
| 2001 | Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary |
| 2002 | Opoku Ware School |
| 2003 | Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) |
| 2004 | Achimota School |
| 2005 | St. Peter’s Senior High School |
| 2006 | Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) |
| 2007 | St. Augustine’s College |
| 2008 | Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) |
| 2009 | Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) |
| 2010 | No competition held |
| 2011 | No competition held |
| 2012 | Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS) |
| 2013 | St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School |
| 2014 | Mfantsipim School |
| 2015 | Prempeh College |
| 2016 | Adisadel College |
| 2017 | Prempeh College |
| 2018 | St. Peter’s Senior High School |
| 2019 | St. Augustine’s College |
| 2020 | Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) |
| 2021 | Prempeh College |
| 2022 | Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) |
| 2023 | Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) |
| 2024 | Mfantsipim School |
| 2025 | Mfantsipim School |
| 2026 | Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) |
Note: The historical list begins in 1994, the earliest year represented in the published NSMQ national champions archive. The years 2010 and 2011 are recorded as years in which no competition was held.
NSMQ 2026 Winner: PRESEC-Legon Claims Historic Ninth Title
Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, Legon, emerged as the champion of the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz, winning the Grand Finale on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the UG Premier Dome at the University of Ghana, Legon, in Accra.
PRESEC faced two formidable opponents: Accra Academy, which made its first-ever Grand Finale appearance, and St. Augustine’s College, a two-time NSMQ champion.
NSMQ 2026 Grand Finale Results
| Position | School | Final Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) | 40 points |
| 2nd | Accra Academy | 33 points |
| 3rd | St. Augustine’s College | 27 points |
PRESEC’s victory marked its return to the top after two years without reaching the Grand Finale. The school maintained its advantage through the decisive rounds and finished with 40 points.
Accra Academy delivered a strong performance, scoring 33 points to finish second in its historic first appearance in the final. St. Augustine’s College finished third with 27 points after another impressive campaign.
The result earned PRESEC its ninth NSMQ national championship, extending its record as the most successful school in the history of the competition.
PRESEC-Legon: The Most Successful NSMQ School
Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School, popularly known as PRESEC-Legon, holds the record for the highest number of NSMQ national titles.
The school won championships in the following years:
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 1995 | First recorded NSMQ championship |
| 2003 | Second title |
| 2006 | Third title |
| 2008 | Fourth title |
| 2009 | Fifth title |
| 2020 | Sixth title |
| 2022 | Seventh title |
| 2023 | Eighth title |
| 2026 | Ninth title |
PRESEC’s ninth title reinforces its place at the top of the NSMQ honours list. Its achievements reflect years of preparation, scientific knowledge, mathematical reasoning, teamwork and a strong culture of academic competition.
The school’s back-to-back championships in 2008 and 2009, as well as its consecutive victories in 2022 and 2023, are among the notable periods in its history.
Mfantsipim School: Back-to-Back Champions in 2024 and 2025
Mfantsipim School enjoyed a memorable period of success after winning the NSMQ in 2024 and defending its title in 2025.
The Cape Coast-based school has won the national championship in the following years:
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 1999 | NSMQ champion |
| 2014 | NSMQ champion |
| 2024 | NSMQ champion |
| 2025 | NSMQ champion and title defender |
Its consecutive victories in 2024 and 2025 demonstrated the school’s ability to compete at the highest level across different generations of contestants.
Mfantsipim entered the 2026 competition as the defending champion but was eliminated by PRESEC-Legon during the quarter-final stage. PRESEC subsequently progressed through the semi-finals and won the national title.
Other Notable NSMQ Champions
Several other Ghanaian senior high schools have made important contributions to the history of the competition.
Prempeh College
Prempeh College won the NSMQ in 1994, 1996, 2015, 2017 and 2021. The Kumasi-based school has remained one of the competition’s most recognised academic powerhouses and has developed a strong rivalry with PRESEC-Legon and other established champions.
Opoku Ware School
Opoku Ware School won the national championship in 1997 and 2002. The school, popularly known as OWASS, has maintained a respected presence in Ghana’s academic competitions.
St. Peter’s Senior High School
St. Peter’s Senior High School won in 2000, 2005 and 2018. Its championship record reflects its long-standing contribution to the NSMQ tradition.
Achimota School
Achimota School secured national titles in 1998 and 2004, establishing its place among the competition’s historic champions.
St. Augustine’s College
St. Augustine’s College won in 2007 and 2019. The Cape Coast-based school reached the 2026 Grand Finale but finished third behind PRESEC-Legon and Accra Academy.
Pope John Senior High School and Minor Seminary
Pope John SHS and Minor Seminary won the 2001 competition, adding its name to the list of schools that have achieved national NSMQ glory.
Ghana Secondary Technical School
Ghana Secondary Technical School, commonly known as GSTS, won the 2012 championship. The school is recognised for its emphasis on technical and scientific education.
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School
St. Thomas Aquinas Senior High School claimed the national title in 2013, adding variety to the list of champions from the 2010s.
Adisadel College
Adisadel College won the 2016 NSMQ championship and remains one of Ghana’s prominent academic institutions.
Why the NSMQ Is Important to Ghanaian Education
The National Science and Maths Quiz is more than an annual academic competition. It encourages students to develop essential skills that are useful in school, higher education and professional careers.
1. Promoting science and mathematics: The quiz makes scientific and mathematical knowledge exciting and encourages students to explore STEM subjects.
2. Developing critical thinking: Contestants must analyse questions, recall facts, solve problems and make decisions under time pressure.
3. Encouraging teamwork: Students prepare and compete as a team, learning to communicate and support one another.
4. Inspiring academic excellence: The competition motivates students across Ghana to improve their performance and pursue demanding academic goals.
5. Strengthening school pride: Alumni, teachers, parents and students come together to support their institutions, making the competition a major national event.
Frequently Asked Questions About NSMQ Winners
Which school won the NSMQ in 2026?
Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC-Legon) won the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz, finishing with 40 points in the Grand Finale.
Who were the runners-up in the 2026 NSMQ?
Accra Academy finished second with 33 points, while St. Augustine’s College placed third with 27 points.
Which school has won the most NSMQ titles?
PRESEC-Legon holds the record, with nine national championships as of 2026.
Who won the NSMQ in 2025?
Mfantsipim School won the 2025 National Science and Maths Quiz, successfully defending the championship it had won in 2024.
Which school won the first recorded NSMQ championship?
Prempeh College won the 1994 championship, the earliest year in the published national champions list.
Did any school win the NSMQ in both 2024 and 2025?
Yes. Mfantsipim School won both the 2024 and 2025 editions, becoming a back-to-back champion before PRESEC-Legon reclaimed the trophy in 2026.
Which schools competed in the 2026 NSMQ Grand Finale?
PRESEC-Legon, Accra Academy and St. Augustine’s College competed in the 2026 Grand Finale.
The history of the National Science and Maths Quiz reflects the depth of academic talent in Ghana’s senior high schools. From Prempeh College’s early triumph in 1994 to PRESEC-Legon’s record ninth championship in 2026, the competition has continued to inspire students and celebrate excellence in science and mathematics.
Mfantsipim School’s consecutive titles in 2024 and 2025, Accra Academy’s historic first appearance in the 2026 Grand Finale, and St. Augustine’s College’s continued presence among the finalists demonstrate the competitive nature of the NSMQ.
As Ghana looks forward to future editions, the NSMQ remains an important platform for nurturing young scientific minds, strengthening academic ambition and celebrating the pursuit of knowledge.
The 2026 champion is PRESEC-Legon, with nine national titles. The race for the next NSMQ championship will bring a new opportunity for Ghana’s leading senior high schools to make history.
