A 16-year-old student of Chrisland Schools, Naomi Olayinka, has emerged Top in the World in English as a Second Language (ESL) at the 2024 Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations—one of the most competitive academic benchmarks globally.
Her recognition by Cambridge Assessment International Education follows her exceptional performance in the June 2024 IGCSE examinations, placing her ahead of thousands of candidates worldwide.
Speaking to The PUNCH newspaper, Naomi described the news as “surreal,” attributing her achievement to faith, discipline, and a strong support system.
“Honestly, I was completely speechless at first. When it finally sank in, I just felt so grateful to God, my teachers, and my parents. All I could think was that the hard work had paid off,” she said.
A Growing Legacy of Global Academic Excellence
Naomi’s win extends Chrisland’s reputation for producing world-class learners. She follows Mmesomachukwu Okonkwo, a Chrisland High School VGC alumna who earned the same ‘Top in the World’ accolade in 2023.
“It feels amazing to be part of such a proud legacy… I hope my success encourages others as well,” Naomi said.
Her passion for English, she explained, comes from the language’s power to connect people and convey ideas:
“I believe English is a way of thinking and connecting with people.”
A Study Routine Built on Consistency and Curiosity
The teenager said her preparation blended structured academic practice with broad reading:
-
daily essays and past questions
-
novels, articles, and newspapers to deepen vocabulary
-
a disciplined timetable balancing multiple subjects
But the journey wasn’t always easy.
“There were times I felt overwhelmed and sometimes doubted myself. But I learned to take things one step at a time. Prayer, encouragement from my parents, and support from teachers helped me stay grounded.”
As Assembly Prefect, Naomi also learned leadership and time management, skills she credits with strengthening her academic performance.
‘Excellence Is Our Default’ — Chrisland Leadership Reacts
Chrisland Schools’ management said Naomi’s performance reflects the institution’s long-standing culture of global competitiveness.
Director of Schools, Mrs. Ayoola Akinyeye, said the achievement reinforces Chrisland’s reputation:
“At Chrisland, excellence is not an exception — it’s our default. While ‘Top in the World’ has room for only one, our consistent record of distinctions across large numbers is our true distinction.”
Dr. Olajide Onigbogi, Executive Head of Schools (Communications) and Regional Head of Abuja and VGC Schools, added that such results stem from an intentional academic culture:
“Excellence at Chrisland isn’t accidental but intentional. It’s the product of discipline, professionalism, and love for learning woven into the fabric of our system.”
Naomi’s recognition arrives at a time when Nigeria’s education sector faces structural challenges — from funding gaps to widening learning disparities. Stories like hers, however, highlight what systematic investment, structured learning environments, and strong academic culture can achieve.
For Chrisland, it is another global milestone.
For Nigeria, it is a reminder of the country’s vast, often untapped pool of young excellence.
