Obafemi Awolowo University has retained the Society of Petroleum Engineers Africa Region PetroBowl Championship title, defeating universities across the continent at the 2026 edition held in Kenya, defending its continental crown.

The five member OAU team comprised Oluwanifemi Oladunjoye, a 500 level Chemical Engineering student and team captain; Quadri Adekunle, a 300 level Chemical Engineering student; Amoo Covenant, a 500 level Chemical Engineering student; Folusho Mercy, a 300 level Chemical Engineering student; and Taiwo Mary Ajayi, a 400 level Geology student.

A particularly notable aspect of the victory is that OAU does not operate an undergraduate Petroleum Engineering programme. The team, drawn from Chemical Engineering and Geology, competed against institutions with dedicated Petroleum Engineering departments at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The route to the title was not without difficulty. The team trailed during the semi final against the University of Mines and Technology, Ghana, before recovering to win 145 to 60. Oladunjoye described the turnaround as a product of composure and preparation rather than chance.

The captain disclosed that the team held overnight study sessions every Friday and Saturday, from 7:00 PM to 6:00 AM, combining academic rigour with deliberate teamwork throughout the preparation period. "We studied consistently, challenged one another and never settled for good enough," she said, attributing the title to preparation, unity and faith.

Oladunjoye recalled the moment of victory with visible emotion. "I remember unconsciously going on my knees right there on the stage and bursting into tears of joy," she said, describing the announcement of OAU as champions as surreal following months of sacrifice and overnight preparation.

Covenant acknowledged that early losses during practice sessions tested the team's confidence but credited those defeats with sharpening their competitive approach. "We did not just survive the setbacks; we studied them, adjusted, and came back sharper each time," he said.

The team acknowledged financial and logistical support from Dr Akintoye Akindele of Platform Capital, who sponsored the Kenya trip, alongside alumni Engr. Walter Egbueze and Aishah Abdulazeez, and SPE OAU President Boluwatife Omotayo.