Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – African Biology Olympiad 2025
General Information
The African Biology Olympiad is a continental competition aimed at inspiring high school students in the field of biology, promoting knowledge and innovation across Africa.
The ABO typically spans several months, with the finals held in August.
The ABO is organized by Prestige & Graca, a leader in educational project management in Africa
The ABO highlights the significance of biology in solving Africa’s pressing issues, such as environmental conservation, public health, and sustainable agriculture.
The vision of the ABO is to foster a new generation of scientists who will address Africa's challenges through innovative biological solutions.
Yes, the 2025 event marks the maiden edition of the ABO.
Participation
Students in junior (JSS 1-3) and senior (SS 1-3) secondary school categories are eligible to participate.
While Biology may not be taught as a separate subject for junior students in some schools, all secondary school students do study Biology, often as part of an integrated curriculum under Basic Science, which encompasses Biology, Physics, and Chemistry. Participating in the ABO can deepen their understanding of biological concepts and inspire a greater appreciation for science. The competition provides an engaging educational experience, laying a solid foundation for future studies and sparking a long-term interest in scientific inquiry.
Yes, while a minimum of 5 students is required for full eligibility for awards, schools can still register students below this number.
No, any secondary school can participate.
Yes, schools can participate with fewer than 5 students. However, this may affect eligibility for teacher and school awards, though student awards are unaffected.
No, students must register through their respective schools.
If a school did not register, students from that school can apply independently. Students can register individually only if their school has not registered any representatives
If a school did not register, students from that school can apply independently. Students can register individually only if their school has not registered any representatives
Registration
The registration fee is N5,000 per student.
Schools can register their students through our official registration page. https://africanbiologyolympiad.org/registration/
The registration deadline will be announced on our website.
Yes, schools can register as many students as they want beyond the minimum of 5
Payments can be made through bank transfer to our designated account.
Schools can still register students, but they may not qualify for certain awards
Competition Structure
The competition consists of school stage, a state final, a national final, and a continental final.
The national finals will be held in March 2025
The competition will include multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-gap questions, true/false questions, and practical assessments.
Proctoring tools and guidelines will be implemented to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Topics include Cell Biology, Human Biology, Plant Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, Ecology and so on.
Preparation and Resources
Students can access study guides, sample questions, and a detailed syllabus on the ABO Resources page.
Junior students will study Cell Biology, Human Biology, Plant Biology, Ecosystems & Habitat, and Food & Nutrition.
Senior students will study advanced topics, including Genetics, Relevance of Biology to Agriculture, Cell Biology, Human Biology, Ecology, and Microbiology.
The competition covers Junior and Senior Secondary school-level biology, with advanced topics introduced at the Senior level.
Yes, teachers can access study materials on the ABO website to guide students through the curriculum.
Logistics and Technical Information
Yes, the preliminary round will be online, while the national and continental finals will be physical events
The continental finals for the maiden edition will take place in Nigeria, although future editions may rotate hosting across different African countries.
Yes, teachers can supervise their students during the preliminary round. However, strict integrity protocols will be in place to ensure fairness and discourage any unfair advantage. Schools found engaging in any form of cheating will face penalties, including possible disqualification from the competition.
Schools are encouraged to have multiple internet backup options to minimize disruptions during the online rounds. This could include mobile hotspots or alternative connections to ensure smooth participation. We are also working on contingency plans to assist schools facing technical difficulties.
Prizes and Awards
Prizes include gadgets, educational materials, products from sponsors, awards, scholarship and certificates for all participants
Winners will be determined based on individual performance, while schools will receive awards based on the cumulative results of their top 5 students.
There are three categories of awards in the African Biology Olympiad:
- Student Awards – Students are judged based on their individual performance and receive awards accordingly.
- Teacher Awards – Teachers are evaluated based on the cumulative results of their top 5 students.
- School Awards – Schools are similarly judged on the collective performance of all their participating students. Schools with a higher number of participating students will accumulate more points, encouraging broad student participation and promoting interest in biological sciences
Yes, all participants will receive certificates acknowledging their efforts.
Schools may receive prizes such as educational resources, office equipment, laboratory equipment, and award of excellence.
Yes, there will be separate awards for each category based on their performance
Additional Information
Detailed study guides and preparatory materials are available on our Resources page at africanbiologyolympiad.org/resources
Participating in the ABO provides students with the unique opportunity to represent their country and gain both national and continental recognition. Participants can win exciting prizes, including scholarship, educational materials and awards from sponsors. Additionally, the competition is an excellent way to deepen and enhance their knowledge of biology, preparing them for future academic and career pursuits in science. The experience fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a passion for biology.
No. However, participants must be within the designated class categories for junior and senior levels
The continental finals will feature participants from across Africa and include a wider range of challenging questions and activities
Schools can use flyers, meetings, and school assemblies to inform and encourage student participation.
Follow our official website and social media channels for the latest updates.
Yes, we welcome feedback from schools to improve future editions of the ABO