Chinedu Okeke, the top scorer in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), shares with Grace Edema his journey to success, the discipline it required, the sacrifices he made, and the lessons every Nigerian student can learn
Can you speak briefly about your background?
I’m 20 years old. I graduated from St. Jude’s Private School, Festac.
Coming out as the top scorer in the 2025 UTME in Nigeria, what do you think contributed to your success? What efforts did you put in that helped you score 375?
Well, I made sure to study consistently. I read my textbooks and notes from school and from the UTME lessons I attended. I was enrolled in a tutorial centre called Achievers Educator Academy, and they really helped a lot.
They had facilities like CBT (Computer-Based Test) systems, so I could practise weekly. I also used UTME past questions and worked on them every day. I started preparing early and was very consistent with my studies.
What was your reading routine like?
After my UTME lessons, I would go home and read from around 4 pm to 10 pm. I spent that time going over my notes, practising questions, and making sure I understood all the topics. I wasn’t just cramming. I preferred understanding concepts properly, and yes, I read almost every day from 4 pm to 10 pm.
So, apart from the 4 pm to 10 pm schedule for reading, especially going over your notes, did you read at other times too?
Yes, I did. In the mornings, before my lessons started, I usually did a bit of reading too.
You attended a university before. Can you tell me about that? Do you think attending that university and spending about a year there contributed to your success in any way?
No, I don’t think so. Yes, I was admitted into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2021 to study Medicine and Surgery. But after some time, I lost interest in the course, and it started to reflect in my academic performance.
Eventually, I realised my true passions were in Mathematics and Physics, so I decided to withdraw from the university in 2024. I wouldn’t say that experience contributed to my UTME success.
Why did you choose to study Medicine in the first place if Mathematics and Physics were your passion?
Well, at the time, I liked the idea of becoming a doctor. That was what I thought I wanted. But as I went through the programme, I started to lose interest. I realised medicine wasn’t my calling. So, after careful thought and discussion with my parents, I decided to withdraw.
What course are you planning to study now?
I’m going to study Mechanical Engineering.
How do you intend to stay motivated and ensure you come out on top without losing interest again?
Mechanical Engineering is rooted in Mathematics and Physics, subjects I’m naturally passionate about. It’s like a language I understand and enjoy. That alone gives me confidence that I’ll stay interested and committed. Yes, I’m ready to put in even more effort this time to excel.
What advice do you have for other students on how to succeed in their UTME?
First, they should attend a good tutorial centre—one that is truly effective, like the one I attended. Mine was very helpful. They should also start preparing early and be consistent.
Don’t wait until a few weeks before the exam to begin studying. Focus on understanding the topics, not just cramming answers.
They should also make good use of past UTME questions and the JAMB-recommended textbooks. In my case, I started early, so I had time to fully understand the UTME curriculum. I also practised using CBTs regularly at my tutorial centre, and that helped me track my progress.
You’ve mentioned your tutorial centre several times. Do you think tutorial centres are truly important for UTME candidates?
Definitely! The name of the one I attended is Achievers Educator Academy, the ICAN branch. I believe tutorial centres are important, especially if you’re not currently attending a regular school.
Some people say they went to tutorials and still didn’t perform well, but that could be due to several reasons. Maybe the tutorial itself wasn’t good, or perhaps the student didn’t put in enough effort.
For me, my tutorial centre made a huge difference. They provided us with quality materials, consistent CBT practice, and really good teaching. It gave me a structured learning environment, which helped a lot.
You previously studied at UNN, and you’re now preparing to attend the University of Lagos, and you’ve also had experience at a tutorial centre. Based on all these, what do you think the government should do to make education more viable and accessible to Nigerian students?
One major issue I think the government should address is the lack of practical, hands-on learning, especially in science and technical fields. Many schools focus mostly on theory, but students hardly get the opportunity to work with real tools, equipment, or practical projects. That gap affects how well we understand and apply what we are taught.
Another important area is the curriculum. I believe it needs to be updated to align with modern industry demands. We need to integrate more digital skills, innovation, and problem-solving into the curriculum.
These are essential for preparing students for today’s world and the job market. If these problems are addressed, education in Nigeria will become more meaningful, and students will be better equipped to contribute to national development.
There was also an issue regarding your state of origin, between Anambra State and Lagos State, which caused a bit of confusion during your UTME registration. Would you like to clarify that, especially so that JAMB can understand it wasn’t done for any dishonest reason?
Yes, I would like to clarify that. I’m originally from Anambra State, Njikoka Local Government Area. But during my first JAMB registration in 2021, I believe the registration operator mistakenly entered Lagos—my state of residence—as my state of origin.
When I noticed that Lagos State was listed instead of Anambra State, I immediately tried to correct it before the exam. My dad and I went to the JAMB office in Anthony, Lagos.
They referred us to the JAMB office in Ikoyi, but even after that, the correction wasn’t made. My dad even travelled to the JAMB office in Anambra State, yet the issue remained unresolved.
We applied for a data correction on my JAMB profile and paid the required fee, but it still wasn’t corrected. Eventually, I went through the National Identity Number update process, and that finally resolved the issue.
During my next JAMB registration, it correctly showed Anambra State as my state of origin. So, the mix-up wasn’t intentional—we made every effort to correct it as soon as we discovered it.
Talking about your parents, what roles did they play in your UTME success journey?
First of all, they fully supported my decision to switch from Medicine to Engineering when I realised that Medicine wasn’t my passion. They also motivated me to study consistently. They were the ones who found a JAMB tutorial centre for me to help me stay focused and prepared. They found the centre and encouraged me all through the process.
What message do you have for other students generally about their education?
They should take their education seriously and find out what they are truly passionate about. Once they discover that, they should stay consistent, start preparing early, and avoid procrastination. Education opens doors, but it requires discipline and effort.
What do you hope to achieve with Mechanical Engineering as a course?
My long-term goal is to become a certified Mechanical Engineer and work on projects that solve real-world problems. In the future, I hope to either work with a leading engineering firm or start my own company focused on innovation in mechanical systems, especially tailored to solving challenges in Africa.
For me, university isn’t just about gaining technical knowledge—it’s also about developing my mindset, discipline, and experience to achieve those goals.
For me, university isn’t just about gaining technical knowledge—it’s also about developing my mindset, discipline, and experience to achieve those goals.
