By Damola Kola-Dare
Following in the footsteps of a 2023 alumna, Mmesomachukwu Okonkwo of VGC campus, who achieved the same global recognition, 16-year-old Naomi Olayinka, of Chrisland Schools, was named Top in the World in English as a Second Language in 2024 IGCSE examinations. Her success reaffirms the school’s commitment to nurturing confident, world-class scholars.
The 16-year-old shared key actions that helped her achieved the feat.
Honestly, I was speechless at first. It didn’t even sink in right away. When I realised what it meant, I just felt so grateful to God, to my teachers, my parents, and everyone who supported me. It was such a surreal moment, and all I could think about was how the hard work paid off.
It feels amazing to be part of such a proud legacy. Chrisland has always inspired us to aim for excellence, and knowing that others before me achieved this gave me confidence that it was possible too. I feel honoured to continue that tradition and I hope my success encourages others as well.
Inspiration and love
I have always loved how English allows people to express their thoughts and emotions so beautifully. I believe it is a way of thinking and connecting with people. That perspective really made me fall in love with it even more.
Preparing for IGCSE
My routine was quite consistent. I set aside time every day to read, write essays, and review past questions. I also made sure to read novels, articles, and newspapers to expand my vocabulary and understanding. My teacher’s feedback on practice essays really helped me improve. I tried to stay disciplined but also took breaks when I needed to.
Challenges
Yes, definitely. There were times I felt overwhelmed balancing all my subjects and responsibilities. Sometimes I doubted myself too. But I learned to take things one step at a time and reminded myself to trust the process. My parents and teachers encouraged me constantly, and prayer gave me strength when I felt tired or unsure.
Motivation
My teachers were incredible. They were always patient and willing to explain things until I fully understood. My classmates also played a big role as we motivated each other and shared tips during study sessions. The school always gave us pep talks that reminded us that excellence is possible if we stay focused.
Balancing time
It wasn’t always easy, but I learned to manage my time carefully. I used weekends and free periods to catch up on work and made sure not to procrastinate. Being a prefect also taught me responsibility and discipline, which helped me stay organised in my studies too.
Family support
My family has been my biggest support system. My parents encouraged me to do my best but also reminded me to rest and take care of myself. They prayed with me, checked on my progress, and believed in me even when I was nervous. Their support meant everything.
Future aspiration
I hope to become a lawyer and impact society meaningfully. I want to use my voice to stand for what’s right and help create a fairer community. My advice to other pupils is to stay consistent, listen to your teachers, and never underestimate the power of hard work and prayer. Don’t compare yourself to others, just keep growing and believe that you can achieve great things too.
Striving for Excellence
Director of Schools at Chrisland Schools Limited, Mrs Ayoola Akinyeye, noted that the feat was achieved through deliberate systems that make learning purposeful and engaging, a rigorous curriculum delivered by passionate teachers, and a school culture that values curiosity, confidence, and disciplined effort.
She said excellence, therefore, becomes a habit rather than an occasional triumph.
Beyond classroom teaching, she said: ‘Our mentoring culture is deeply personal and value-driven. Our Pastoral Care System – “The Teacher-Parenting Scheme” helps every learner set high standards for themselves, believe in their potential, and take ownership of their progress’.
‘Through teacher guidance, peer mentoring, and leadership programmes, we build in our pupils a sense of resilience, integrity, and community spirit. They learn that achievement is not accidental, it is built daily, through reflection, feedback, and perseverance’.
She advised them to remain humble, stay curious, and keep growing, adding they should be consistent, courageous and have belief in their brilliance.
Executive Head of Schools (Communications), Dr. Olajide Onigbogi, who also doubles as Regional head of Abuja and VGC schools, noted that the school’s success is rooted in its five core values – Discipline, Integrity, Professionalism, Love, and Excellence, represented in the acronym DISCIPLE.
These values, he said, are not just written on the walls; they are lived daily by staff and learners while they shape teaching, learning and interaction.
He said Chrisland learners have repeatedly been among the world’s best in recent years.
‘Most notably, Olayinka was named Top in the World in Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language in June 2024. Similarly, Somkenechukwu Onwusika ranked among Top 3 WASSCE results in Lagos State in the same year’, he added.
