It is Quizathon season once again and this year, it’s bigger than ever! With up to ₦15 million in prizes to be won, Quizathon 3.0, set for Saturday, September 27, 2025, promises to be the most thrilling edition yet. But before the next wave of brilliance sweeps across Nigerian undergraduates in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, we take a moment to revisit the remarkable story of our very first Quizathon champion, we revisit the remarkable story of the very first Quizathon champion, the power of the Distinction.app platform and how you can get in on the action.
In a nation brimming with potential, some stories stand tall not just for their brilliance, but for the courage and character they reveal. One such story is that of Izuafa Abdulrafiu, a first-class Software Engineering student at Veritas University, Abuja, and the undisputed champion of the very first Distinction.app Quizathon; AFRICA’S First AI Powered Interuniversity Competition.
This isn’t just a story about winning. It’s about the power of a learning platform, the value of second chances, and what happens when integrity meets opportunity.
The platform that powers dreams
At its core, Distinction.app is a curriculum aligned learning and competition platform built to celebrate the academic excellence of undergraduate students across all tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Through its AI-powered quiz engine, study notes, flashcards, and leaderboard gamification, it is redefining how students learn, Earn, Compete, and showcase their knowledge.
The Quizathon proved that Distinction.app isn’t just about scores. It is about character, confidence, and community.
For Izuafa, it became a stage to shine and a mirror that reflected the best version of himself. Distinction.app didn’t just reward what he knew; it recognized who he was.
That is what makes this story so powerful.
The day that changed everything
June 22, 2024. The first ever Distinction Quizathon; a brainchild of FlexiSAF Edusoft, kicked off across Nigeria. It was a five-hour academic marathon powered by AI, designed to stretch the mental muscles of university students like never before. Over 6,000 students from 137 institutions logged on to the distinction.app platform to battle through a sea of NUC curriculum-based questions. It wasn’t just about being smart; it was about being sharp, strategic, and relentless.
At the end of the storm, standing at the top of the leaderboard with 2,063 points, was Izuafa Abdulrafiu. He had not only participated. He had dominated.
But his celebration was short-lived.
The flag that raised doubt
Distinction.app, known for its commitment to integrity, had an advanced monitoring system in place. During a post-competition review, it was observed that Izuafa had switched devices during the quiz, from laptop to mobile. This raised concern. According to the rules, participants were expected to use one verified device throughout the competition to prevent misconduct.
Despite his high score, Izuafa was disqualified.
For many, this would have been the end of the road. But Izuafa wasn’t just another participant. He was a student of substance. He appealed the decision and asked for a thorough investigation, confident that his performance was above board.
The investigation that proved a champion’s heart
The Distinction.app team took his appeal seriously. What followed was one of the most remarkable displays of academic due process and ethical responsibility.
The inquest didn’t stop at data logs. The team went to Veritas University, where they spoke directly with the Vice Chancellor, Head of Department, and other school coordinators. They confirmed the timeline of events and heard from classmates who had seen him take on the challenge alone, focused, determined, and undistracted.
The verdict was clear. He had done nothing wrong. The device switch occurred because of an unexpected laptop issue, and the transition to mobile was seamless with no external help or foul play.
Distinction.app rectified the error and officially crowned Izuafa Abdulrafiu the first ever Quizathon Champion.
A Microsoft MVP: The Quizathon that amplified his ascent
What many didn’t know at the time was that Izuafa had already been named a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) before his Quizathon award was confirmed. Quietly making waves in the tech space, he had earned global recognition for his technical expertise, community leadership, and contributions to knowledge sharing, particularly in artificial intelligence.
That recognition led to a milestone few ever reach. In March 2025, Izuafa was invited to Microsoft’s global headquarters in Redmond, Washington, USA. It was a defining moment that underscored his global relevance.
“While the MVP title came just before the Quizathon win, the visibility and recognition that came from the competition boosted everything. It helped more people, especially within the tech space, notice the work I was doing. It played a part in building my credibility and expanding my network.” — Izuafa Abdulrafiu
The Distinction Quizathon provided him with a national platform. It brought him into the spotlight of not only students but also tech professionals, mentors, and collaborators. It gave narrative and context to his achievements, showing that his strengths lay not only in skills but also in integrity and resilience.
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More than a trophy, a trailblazer
Today, Izuafa stands as more than just a Quizathon champion. He is a symbol of what young African students can achieve when given the right tools, fair chances, and a platform that believes in them.
His story has inspired thousands and will inspire many more.
In a world quick to judge and slow to listen, Distinction.app proved that real champions are not just the ones who score the highest. They are the ones who rise again after being doubted.
And Izuafa Abdulrafiu?
He rose.
He inspired.
And he continues to lead.
Looking to be crowned the next Quizathon Champion and earn your slice of the up to 15 Million Naira worth of prizes to be won?
Head to distinction.app/quizathon for everything you need to join Quizathon 3.0, happening this September 27th, 2025! There’s never been a better time to join a community where brilliance is celebrated, and potential turns into opportunity.
Watch the full interview with Izuafa at the Quizathon 1.0 awards ceremony.
About Distinction.app:
A brainchild of FlexiSAF; Distinction is a learning platform that offers a curriculum aligned way for Nigerian Undergraduates to Learn, Earn and Compete by bringing to life what is taught in the classroom and beyond; making it contextual, relatable and visual. It currently supports the National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) curriculums as well as courses designed to enhance employability. It is the best learning companion any student can have.
