A 16-year-old student, Oyindamola Apampa, has drawn national attention after scoring an outstanding 351 in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), a dramatic improvement from an earlier invalidated score of 158.
Apampa, a student of Lagoon Secondary School, Lagos, recorded 65 in English Language, 98 in Mathematics, 98 in Physics, and 90 in Chemistry. She attributed the remarkable feat to a mix of determination, focused preparation, and divine favour.
Speaking on her journey, Apampa explained that this was her second UTME attempt. Her initial score of 158 had sparked concern due to widespread technical glitches at several examination centres. Following investigations, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) authorised a resit for affected candidates — a decision that gave her a second chance.
“In my first UTME attempt, I scored 158. However, the results were widely criticised and later acknowledged by the authorities as inaccurate due to technical glitches affecting several centres, including mine,” she said. “Consequently, the examination body authorised a resit. In the resit, I achieved a score of 351.”
She praised her parents for creating a home environment conducive to learning. “We have a full library in our living room and a separate multimedia study room. It’s a space where the whole family engages in conversations and supports each other’s learning,” she shared.
Apampa also credited Teesas Learning Centre in Lekki for supplementing her schoolwork with intensive mock exams and tailored UTME preparation classes. “The frequent mock exams at our learning centre were a great help in my preparation,” she added.
Commenting on the centre’s overall performance, Teesas Learning Centre’s head, Osayi Izedonmwen, said 98 percent of their students passed the 2025 UTME. He highlighted the centre’s hybrid learning model as a key factor behind their success. “At Teesas, we are fully IT-equipped to support both online and physical learning in a student-friendly environment,” he said.
Apampa’s stellar academic record extends beyond UTME success. She previously earned a place on her school’s Honours list after scoring 10 As and one B in her Junior WAEC. She has also represented her school at international competitions, including the Conrad Challenge, where her team advanced to the final stage and received a special mention.
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