In a dazzling display of talent and tenacity, Honeyland Schools, hailing from the Abesan area of Lagos State, has stolen the spotlight at the 9th National Interschool Music Competition and Academic Award (NISMCAA)—and this time, reggae ruled the day.
The win came with ₦200,000 in prize money, a shining trophy, and medals for the entire orchestra—but it wasn’t just about the hardware. Honeyland’s victory was the result of a bold musical switch, a dramatic score correction, and a whole lot of heart.
Originally held on February 13, 2025, at the University of Lagos, the contest was marred by a scoring error that mistakenly crowned the wrong winner. But on April 4, justice struck the right chord when a post-event review revealed Honeyland as the true champion of the event, themed “Music for Social Change.”
Olubunmi Adebowale, Executive Director of NISMCAA, addressed the crowd with honesty and hope saying, “We are here not just to celebrate excellence, but to uphold fairness and integrity. Errors happen, but how we fix them shows our true character. Honeyland College delivered a performance worth every cheer and accolade.”
Backing the move was David Abduljabba, chairman of the review panel, who commended the transparent process that led to the reversal. In his words, “This is proof that excellence can’t be buried. Merit always rises.”
For Honeyland, the win was a powerful payoff for trusting their instincts. “We had prepared an afrobeats number,” shared Adeniyi Bamidele, the school’s music director, “but something told me to go reggae instead. It was a risk—but the school believed in the vision, and it paid off.”
The School administrator, Mr Akinleye Oludayo beamed with pride. Speaking to the media after the event, he said, “This isn’t just a win—it’s a validation of our values: creativity, resilience, and integrity.”
Though not newcomers to the winner’s circle, this latest triumph hit different. It’s not every day you turn a musical gamble into gold—or see your students wear their medals with such infectious joy.
One thing’s for sure, Honeyland didn’t just win a contest—they started a music movement.
