A 16-year-old Nigerian student, Abolade Asekunoreoluwa Naomi, has achieved remarkable academic success by scoring 310 in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and being named the Best Graduating Student at Cenfex High School, Makola. Her elder sister celebrated the achievement on social media, sharing photos of Naomi's multiple awards, which quickly garnered attention online.
Naomi, who never attended extra lessons, credits her father's philosophy about brain rest for her success. She revealed that her father believes the brain functions best when given adequate time to rest and recharge, a principle she has followed since childhood. This approach, combined with support from her family, helped her build a strong academic foundation.
A Night Reading Routine That Paid Off
In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, Naomi shared her study strategy, which involved adapting to her natural rhythm as a night person. She would take afternoon naps after school and dedicate two to three hours daily to reading when exams were not imminent, increasing the duration as pressure mounted. This disciplined routine allowed her to maximize her potential and achieve an impressive JAMB score.
Naomi also spoke about her dream course, Economics, which she chose due to her background in the commercial department and her foresight about the impact of artificial intelligence on accounting professions. She explained, "Firstly, I was in the commercial department, and with the world becoming more dependent on Artificial Intelligence, accountants are on the verge of being replaced. Therefore, it would only be wise to go for another choice."
Overcoming Self-Doubt and Illness
Despite her success, Naomi faced challenges during her preparation, including self-doubt and periods of illness. She recounted, "I guess the major challenge I faced during preparation was thinking I wasn't doing enough. There were days when I was not feeling well, days when I was too tired to read, and then the thoughts of not doing enough and not being enough would fill my mind, affecting my confidence."
To overcome these hurdles, she adopted a mindset of focusing on the present rather than past failures. She told herself, "At times like that, I just repeated to myself that it's not about whether or not I've reached my daily goals in the past, but about the present. So long as I'm not yet in the exam hall, there's still time; 'better late than never.' Make good use of the present."
Family Support and Father's Philosophy
Naomi credited her family for their unwavering support, noting that her parents and siblings helped build her educational foundation. She said, "Right from my childhood. My dad believes one must rest the brain for it to function at its full potential, and I couldn't agree more. Nevertheless, if I needed extra attention for any subject, there was always someone in my family who helped; from my siblings to my parents, they literally built my foundation, and that made it easy to climb up the ladder. Therefore, it was just me, my past questions, my family, and God."
Her father's philosophy about rest and brain performance was a cornerstone of her study approach, enabling her to study efficiently without burnout. This strategy proved effective, as she achieved a score of 310 in the UTME, a feat that brought joy to her family.
Advice for Aspiring Candidates
Naomi offered advice to other students preparing for JAMB and other examinations, emphasizing the importance of setting clear goals and visualizing success. She advised, "Have a goal. Imagine vividly the moment you achieve it; how you would feel, how proud your parents would be, how your family would rejoice with you, and how exciting the feeling of achieving a goal would be. This helps you understand the value of that goal, which will then set you on the right path to achieving it."
She also encouraged students to dream big, saying, "And never set small goals. Everything is within your reach; just go and claim it." Her story serves as an inspiration to many young Nigerians striving for academic excellence.
Recognition and Celebration
Naomi's elder sister took to Twitter to celebrate her achievements, posting photos of Naomi with her awards and writing, "My younger sister graduated from secondary school today as the Best Graduating Student and the highest JAMB scorer (310). Proud sister moment?❤️." The post generated buzz and congratulatory messages from social media users.
Naomi's accomplishment is particularly noteworthy given that she never attended extra lessons, relying instead on her own disciplined study habits and family support. Her success underscores the importance of personalized study routines and the value of rest in achieving academic goals.
As she prepares for university, where she hopes to study Economics, Naomi remains focused on her future. Her journey from secondary school to JAMB success is a testament to her hard work, resilience, and the supportive environment her family created. Her story is a reminder that with the right mindset and strategies, students can overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.
