Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has awarded a university scholarship to Obasi Victor Nnanna, an indigene of Ebonyi State who emerged as one of Nigeria's highest performers in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Nnanna achieved an impressive score of 356 in the examination, a performance that placed him at the top in Ebonyi State and among the leading candidates nationwide, as reported by The Guardian.
Exceptional Academic Performance
Nnanna, a graduate of King David Gifted Academy in Abakaliki, scored 98 in Mathematics, 98 in Physics, 91 in Chemistry, and 69 in English Language. Umahi approved the scholarship after receiving details of the student's academic achievement from the school's management.
The beneficiary belongs to the pioneer graduating set of King David Gifted Academy, an institution established by Umahi in 2016 during his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State.
Recognition from Education Stakeholders
Education stakeholders have welcomed the scholarship award, describing it as recognition for dedication, discipline, and outstanding academic performance. The Principal of the school, Rev. Sis. Dr. Onyeukwu Veronica E., stated that Nnanna consistently demonstrated academic excellence throughout his years at the institution.
According to her, he maintained the top position in his class from Junior Secondary School One through Senior Secondary School Three and recorded cumulative averages of at least 95 percent every term.
Obasi Victor Nnanna is an exceptionally brilliant student whose commitment to excellence has remained consistent over the years. His achievement in the 2026 UTME is a testament to his hard work, discipline, and passion for learning, she said.
Leadership and Inspiration
Beyond academics, Nnanna also held leadership positions within and outside the school. He served as Senior Prefect and currently occupies the position of Speaker of the Ebonyi State Children's Parliament. School authorities said his accomplishments have become a source of motivation for students across the institution and beyond, with many viewing his success as proof that commitment and hard work can produce exceptional results.
In related news, a 16-year-old candidate from Ogun State, Owoeye Daniella Jesudunsin, emerged as the highest scorer in the 2026 UTME with an aggregate score of 372. Her result was announced during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in Abuja. The breakdown of her result showed that she scored 98 in English Language, 98 in Chemistry, 94 in Physics, and 82 in Biology.
Reacting to her achievement, the candidate said disciplined preparation and smart study methods contributed to her success. Meanwhile, a proud father shared a screenshot of his underage daughter's 2026 UTME result, where she wrote science subjects and achieved a total score that caught the attention of many people online.
