- Abolade Asekunoreoluwa Naomi, 16, scored 310 in the 2026 UTME and was named Best Graduating Student at Cenfex High School, Makola
- Naomi revealed she never once attended extra lessons, pointing to a reading philosophy her father instilled in her from childhood
- The teenager opened up about the self-doubt and illness she battled during her preparations, and the mindset that kept her going
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A 16-year-old Nigerian student has earned national attention after scoring 310 in the 2026 UTME and graduating as the Best Graduating Student at Cenfex High School, Makola, all without ever attending a single extra lesson.
Source: UGC
Abolade Asekunoreoluwa Naomi’s achievement first came to light when her elder sister posted about it on social media, sharing photos of the multiple awards her younger sister had won.
“My younger sister graduated from secondary school today as the Best Graduating Student and the highest JAMB scorer (310),” she wrote.
“Proud sister moment🥹❤️.”
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The Night-Reading Habit That Made the Difference*
Naomi told journalists she discovered early in secondary school that she was a night person, and built her entire study routine around that.
She took afternoon naps after school to recharge, then read for two to three hours daily during quieter academic periods. As examination season intensified, those hours grew longer.
What she did not do, however, was attend extra lessons.
Her father’s belief, which she said she fully embraces, is that the brain must be given adequate rest to reach its full capacity.
Whenever she needed help with a particular subject, a family member stepped in.
“It was just me, my past questions, my family, and God,” she said.
Source: UGC
Facing Self-Doubt and Illness
Naomi’s journey was not without difficulty. There were days when poor health made it impossible to read, and other days when a nagging sense of inadequacy crept in.
She described her way of silencing that voice: reminding herself that what mattered was the present moment, not whether she had met every study target in the days before.
“So long as I’m not yet in the exam hall, there’s still time,” she said.
When her JAMB result came through, her first reaction surprised even her.
“At first, I didn’t know what I felt because, obviously, I wanted higher,” she recalled. “But later, I was filled with joy from nowhere. I wanted to actually wake my whole family up and tell them.”
Economics, AI and a Future She Is Already Planning
Naomi hopes to study Economics at university.
She explained that the rise of Artificial Intelligence has made her reconsider careers in accounting, and that Economics appeals to her because it demands deep thinking.
“The excitement of learning facts discovered by great economists just makes me hope to become one of them someday,” she said.
Her advice to other students struggling with pressure is to visualise the moment of achievement in vivid detail, feeling the pride of parents, the celebration of family, and the satisfaction of having reached a goal.
“Never set small goals,” she added. “Everything is within your reach; just go and claim it.”
Graduate celebrates first class honours with star-studded party
Meanwhile, TUKO.co.ke recently reported that a 19-year-old graduate of Babcock University, Daniel Eshiotienamhe Kadiri, completed his Software Engineering degree with a First Class and a 4.50 CGPA.
He revealed that he never failed a single course throughout his four years at the university and credited his success to consistency, daily reading, and surrounding himself with a supportive academic community.
Source: Legit.ng
Randy Byron
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