Kamsiyochukwu Nkechinyere Precious Umeh, a student of Deeper Life High School, Mowe, Ogun State, is the indisputable highest scorer in the 2023 UTME conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
The 16-year-old scored 99 in Chemistry, 97 in Physics, 98 in Mathematics and 66 in English with an aggregate score of 360, being the highest score by any candidate in this year’s placement examination.
Speaking about how she got to know about score on Arise News Channel on Friday, the boarding school student said: “when the results came out, I was in school, they announced that the results were out seven days after we wrote the JAMB, it was a Tuesday when they told us that the results were out. I went to my guidance and counselor and I asked her to call my mum to tell her the results were out and she should check it. By Wednesday morning, the guidance and counselor called me to her office and she phoned my mom, my mom was the one who told me my results and score. I was not the one who checked it personally. It was my mum.”
When asked about what her result slip looks like, Kamsiyochukwu responded saying, “I haven’t seen my JAMB slip personally but I’ve seen the slips of my classmates who have printed out their results, so there are photographs on it.”
She credited the success of her first UTME attempt to her early preparation.
“Immediately I entered SS3. I started reviewing past questions. And I prayed,” she stated.
While acknowledging the efforts of her school and teachers, she added: “we have excellent teachers in my school. They want us to succeed and they’re willing to make any sacrifice. In the school environment, we are very involved in spiritual activities. The environment is conductive for learning.”
Speaking on her plans for future education pursuits, she said: “UNILAG is my first choice of university but I’m considering other options. I want to study Chemical Engineering. After that, I’m looking forward to a Master’s outside the country and then my PhD outside the country.
“My parents were encouragers as well as my school. I’m a boarder. My parents call to always find out how I’m doing and encourage me. I love my mum and dad.
“If someone wants to succeed, it’s a matter of determination and choice. Schools can improve reading culture by setting time for students to read and also encourage students to be determined to succeed. No matter how encouraging parents or the environment are, it’s still the student’s determination that’ll make them succeed. The student has to choose to succeed, then put in effort.”
Kamsiyochukwu listed Pastor WF Kumuyi and Dr Ben Carson as her greatest role models.
“Pastor Dr WF Kumuyi is the proprietor of my school, we have services, every time he comes on stage to preach, I am awed by how he carries himself, how he talks, how he’s not afraid to say what needs to be said and how great he is. I’ve not met him personally, but I’ll really love to.”
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