Nigeria’s academic landscape witnessed a dazzling moment as Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin, a brilliant daughter of Ekiti State, soared above thousands of candidates to emerge as the highest scorer in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Her astonishing aggregate of 372 out of 400 has now etched her name into the nation’s educational chronicles.
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The remarkable revelation surfaced during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions, convened in Abuja on Monday. The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed the distinguished list of elite performers.
Although Daniella sat for the examination in Ogun State, her aspirations stretch toward studying Medicine and Surgery at University of Lagos, a university she described as one of the foremost citadels for medical education in Nigeria.
Her score sheet reflected a near-flawless academic exhibition. The 16-year-old intellectual sensation secured 98 in English Language, another 98 in Chemistry, 94 in Physics, and 82 in Biology, a performance many have described as both extraordinary and rarefied.
Yet, behind the triumphant applause lies a tale woven with persistence and resilience.
Daniella disclosed that the 2026 examination was not her maiden attempt. Having completed secondary school in 2025, she had previously sat for the UTME but encountered technical setbacks at her examination centre, complications that distorted her earlier outcome.
“This wasn’t my first UTME experience,” she explained. “I wrote the examination last year after graduating from secondary school, but glitches at the exam centre affected my result. Even though I did not request a resit, I refused to surrender my ambition.”
She further noted that her preparation for the 2026 examination was not merely confined to a few months of revision. Instead, it became a prolonged intellectual journey that began during her 2025 preparation cycle. Daniella also extended heartfelt appreciation to EFVP Wisdom Spring Model School for the immense academic grooming and encouragement that shaped her success story.
Unlike candidates who simply hope for excellence, Daniella approached the examination with deliberate precision. She revealed that she set a lofty target for herself long before entering the examination hall.
“I was aiming for nothing below 350, so I fixed my target at 370 and above,” she said confidently.
Her motivation for choosing Medicine and Surgery stems from a profound yearning to alleviate suffering, render medical assistance to the vulnerable, and contribute meaningfully to healthier living within society.
Trailing closely behind the top scorer was Enwere Kingsley Ikenna, an indigene of Imo State who wrote the examination in Lagos State. He amassed an impressive score of 370 and applied to Nile University to pursue Computer Science.
Securing the third position was Bamisile Ayomide Emmanuel from Ondo State. The candidate recorded 369 marks after sitting for the examination in Ogun State and is seeking admission into the Federal University of Technology Akure to study Software Engineering.
A cluster of exceptional candidates jointly earned 368 marks, further underscoring the fierce intellectual competition witnessed in this year’s examination.
Among them was Olabiyisi Olanrewaju Oluwatimileyin from Oyo State, who selected Pan-Atlantic University for Mechatronics Engineering. Victor-Onyeka Daniel Ifeanyi from Imo State also attained the same score and applied to University of Port Harcourt for Electrical/Electronics Engineering.
Another standout candidate, Osagiobare Daniel Osahenrumwen from Edo State, sought admission into University of Benin to study Mechanical Engineering.
Also among the 368 scorers were Ademiluyi Adebowale Anthony from Osun State, who chose Obafemi Awolowo University for Computer Engineering, alongside Azuike Kenechukwu Anthony from Anambra State, who applied to Afe Babalola University for Software Engineering.
Three additional candidates distinguished themselves with scores of 367.
They include Offorkile Michael Okechukwu from Abia State, who applied for Computer Science; Adebisi Eniola Sonari from Ogun State, who selected Covenant University for Computer Science; and Umukoro Gift Orhenevovwero from Delta State, who applied to University of Lagos for Electrical/Electronics Engineering.
The 2026 UTME ranking has not only illuminated the brilliance of these young scholars but has also reignited conversations about determination, educational excellence, and the boundless possibilities available to Nigerian students who dare to pursue greatness with uncommon tenacity.
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