Daniella Owoeye, the highest-scoring candidate in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has been awarded a ₦1 million scholarship in recognition of her exceptional academic achievement.
The scholarship was presented to Owoeye as part of efforts to encourage academic excellence and reward outstanding performance among Nigerian students.
Owoeye emerged as the top performer in the 2026 UTME after recording the highest score in the nationwide examination, earning widespread commendation from education stakeholders and members of the public.
Presenting the award, organisers described the scholarship as a recognition of her hard work, discipline, and commitment to academic excellence.
They noted that the initiative aims to motivate young Nigerians to pursue education with dedication while fostering healthy academic competition among students.
Receiving the scholarship, Owoeye expressed gratitude to the sponsors for recognising her achievement, describing the award as both an honour and a motivation to strive for even greater success in her academic journey.
She said the recognition would ease part of the financial burden associated with higher education and inspire her to remain committed to excellence.
Owoeye also encouraged other students preparing for future UTME examinations to remain focused, work diligently, and believe in their ability to excel regardless of challenges.
According to her, success in the examination was the result of consistent study, proper preparation, and determination.
Education stakeholders at the event commended the scholarship initiative, saying recognising exceptional students helps promote a culture of excellence and encourages more young people to pursue academic success.
They stressed the importance of sustained investment in education, scholarships, and student support programmes to develop the country’s human capital.
The award comes as institutions, private organisations, and philanthropists continue to expand scholarship opportunities for outstanding Nigerian students to improve access to quality higher education.
Analysts say such initiatives not only reward excellence but also inspire other students to pursue academic goals with greater determination.
JAMB conducts the UTME annually as part of the admission process into Nigerian universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions.
The examination remains one of the country’s most competitive entrance assessments, with hundreds of thousands of candidates sitting for it each year.
For Owoeye, the scholarship represents another milestone in what has already been an outstanding academic journey, with many expressing optimism that her achievement will inspire the next generation of Nigerian scholars to pursue excellence through dedication and hard work.
