Overall best Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination candidate with 372 score, Daniella Owoeye, tells GRACE EDEMA how her determination and personal study time contributed to her success

Could you tell us about yourself?

I am 16 years old and an alumna of EFVP Wisdom Spring Model School, Ota.

JAMB announced you on Tuesday as the overall best candidate with a UTME score of 372. How does it feel?

It feels very exciting. It’s a moment to be proud of, and I’m sure my parents and everyone around me are proud of me. When I saw the result, my joy knew no bounds—I didn’t even know how to express myself.

Were you expecting to emerge as the best?

Before I saw my result, I was hopeful of being among the top 10. I prayed, believed in God, and intensified my efforts. I prepared diligently, gave it my best, and trusted God for a great outcome. I’m very grateful for how it turned out.

What did you do differently to achieve 372 in the UTME?

First, I started my preparation as early as possible. I actually began preparing right after I graduated from secondary school. I had written UTME earlier, but due to some technical issues at my centre, my performance was affected. That experience pushed me to prepare even more intensely for the next UTME. Since then, I have been consistent and intentional with my studies.

I started preparing very early and made use of as many resources as I could. I used materials like JAMB Series Remix, past questions, and other topic-by-topic study guides.

I also used CBT apps such as Test Driller, 330, and MySchool. In addition, I joined daily online tutorials, which were very helpful. The tutors provided materials, conducted daily quizzes, and organised tests for us using Quizboots. They also held weekly mock examinations.

I was part of a WhatsApp study group where they shared a large number of questions daily—sometimes up to a hundred per subject, especially in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. This went on consistently. We started with Chemistry for about two months before moving to other subjects.

I also watched educational videos on YouTube and downloaded relevant PDFs. I used the JAMB syllabus as a guide to structure my preparation. Alongside all of this, I prayed and committed my efforts to God.

I remained consistent, took corrections seriously, and learnt from the experiences of past top scorers by studying their strategies and applying them to my routine. I also explored different reading techniques and used those that worked best for me.

When did you finish secondary school?

I finished last year.

And you sat UTME last year as well?

Yes, ma’am.

What was your score at your first UTME attempt?

I scored 293, despite the technical issues I experienced at my centre.

What were your scores in each subject this year?

In English, I scored 98; Physics, 94; Chemistry, 98; and Biology, 82.

What was your reading pattern? Was it mainly the online resources and quizzes?

The resources I mentioned were part of it, although I may not remember everything I used. As for my reading pattern, I relied heavily on structured timing. I used my phone to set alarms and create a daily study schedule.

For instance, I would dedicate specific hours—like 9 am to 10 am—to answering past questions, sometimes up to 100 questions on a particular topic or subject. I consistently followed this routine and ensured I maximised my time. Time management was one of the key skills I developed, and it played a major role in my success.

I didn’t quite get your reading routine earlier. You mentioned 9 am to 10 am as an example—did you have any other pattern or routine you followed?

Yes, I only used that as an example. My actual routine was broader. I usually read in the morning from about 7 am to 11:30 am, or sometimes 12 noon, with short breaks in between. In the afternoon, I continued from around 12:30 pm to about 3:30 pm, also taking breaks.

Generally, I studied throughout the day, while still making time for rest and house chores. So, I wouldn’t say I had a fixed pattern—I was consistently reading all day, just with breaks in between.

Between your personal study and the tutorial centre, which contributed more to your success?

I would say my personal study contributed more. It’s one thing to attend a good tutorial, and another for a student to put in personal effort.

I made sure to revise everything I was taught, and I didn’t stop there—I went further to research on my own, using the JAMB syllabus as a guide. I even used past questions to create my own notes. I also studied from PDFs and textbooks, ensuring everything aligned with the syllabus. I combined all of that with what I was taught at the tutorial centre.

You want to study Medicine and Surgery. Why Medicine and Surgery?

I’ve had a passion for it since I was young. I’ve always wanted to become a medical doctor and contribute to society through healthcare. I’m motivated by the desire to treat the sick, relieve pain, and make a difference in people’s lives. That passion has been a major driving force for me.

Why did you choose the University of Lagos?

I chose UNILAG because it is one of the best universities in Nigeria, especially for Medicine and Surgery.

What advice would you give to students who want to score high in future UTMEs, especially those currently in SS3 or those who didn’t perform well this year?

First, I would advise them to work on their mindset. Some students limit themselves by believing they are not capable of achieving high scores. But mindset plays a huge role in success. If you believe something is impossible, you’re less likely to achieve it.

They should remain optimistic and believe that regardless of their background or school, they can succeed with the right effort and resources. I would also encourage them to commit their preparation to God. It is one thing to study hard, and another to encounter questions from what you studied during the exam. Prayer helps guide your efforts.

Consistency and discipline are also very important. They should stay focused, avoid distractions like excessive watching of social media events and games, and be ready to sacrifice short-term pleasures. Even if it’s just for six months, it will pay off in the long run. Most importantly, they should keep pushing, aim high, and never place limits on their potential.

Tell me about your parents and how they contributed to your success.

Before I answer that, ma, may I quickly add something?

Go ahead, please.

I would also like to advise girls specifically that we should strive to achieve excellence and not allow the history of males dominating the list of top UTME scorers to continue.

We should recognise our potential—females are known to be very brilliant—and work harder to prove that. We should aim to be among the top scorers and not leave that space to males alone.

Do you think the girl child is not pushing hard enough, based on your experience in secondary school?

I believe girls are working hard. However, success also involves God’s grace. UTME tests not just how much you study, but how well you can apply what you’ve learnt over time.

So, I wouldn’t say girls are not hardworking, but I would encourage them to intensify their efforts and keep pushing for excellence.

Tell me about your parents and how they contributed to your success.

My parents are Mr Owoeye and Dr Owoeye. My mother recently completed her PhD and works as an academic researcher at Covenant University, while my father is an administrator, also at Covenant University.

They were very supportive throughout my UTME preparation. They prayed for me daily and encouraged me consistently. Sometimes, they would even come into my room to pray with me.

They also ensured that I had access to all the materials I needed. Many of the CBT apps I used were paid for by them. They provided data for downloading educational videos, as well as textbooks and past questions.

Beyond that, they created an environment conducive for me to study. I would say their support played a significant role in my success.

Do you have any message for other parents?

Yes. I would advise parents to believe in their children and avoid comparing them with others. Comparison can damage a child’s self-esteem and create feelings of inferiority. Instead, parents should encourage their children daily, support them emotionally and academically, and provide the resources they need.

They should also create an environment conducive to learning and pray for their children. With the right support, children can achieve great things.

Do you have siblings? How many are there in the family, and what position are you in the family?

I’m the third child.

Are you the lastborn?

No. I have one younger sibling.

So, you have two older siblings and a younger one?

Yes, ma.

Do you have a boyfriend, or did you have one while in school?

No. I don’t have a boyfriend, and I’ve never had one.

But some of your classmates did?

Yes, some of them did. However, they weren’t part of my close circle. I was mindful of the kind of friends I kept, and I avoided influences that could distract me from my goals.

Were there any challenges you faced during your school days or while preparing for UTME?

Yes, there were. At the early stage of my preparation, my CBT practice scores were quite low—around 268—which was below my expectations.

However, I didn’t allow that to discourage me or affect my self-esteem. Instead, I stayed determined and kept working hard. Gradually, my scores improved, and I began to achieve better results in my practice tests. (The PUNCH)