A student of Queens Convent, Awka, Anambra State, Miss Obiora-Nwokedi Nmesoma has emerged as the highest-scoring candidate in her school following the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) resit. She recorded an impressive score of 343.
The name “Nmesoma” previously drew national attention in 2023 when Ejikeme Joy Mmesoma, a student of a different Anglican school in Anambra, was found to have manipulated her UTME result. However, the current case of Obiora-Nwokedi Nmesoma bears no connection to that incident. Her score of 343 was officially recorded in the JAMB resit and confirmed by school authorities.
The Anglican-run institution described her performance as a landmark achievement, particularly in light of the earlier challenges during the initial phase of the examination, which was marred by technical glitches. Nmesoma had previously received a score of 165 in the botched first sitting, a result that shocked her teachers and school administrators.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) later acknowledged the widespread disruptions, which affected numerous candidates across the country and led to a rescheduled exam for those impacted.
The principal of Queens Convent, Dr. Martha Ibezim, hailed Nmesoma’s remarkable turnaround as a testament to academic resilience and institutional support. She attributed the student’s success not only to her determination but also to the school’s consistent emphasis on quality education, dedicated faculty, and rigorous preparatory programmes.
“This result is more than just a number. It is a reflection of perseverance and the transformative power of education. Nmesoma remained focused, and when given another chance, she rose to the occasion,” Dr. Ibezim said.
She added that the initial score was deeply disappointing, especially considering Nmesoma’s track record as one of the school’s top-performing students.
“What could have shattered her confidence instead strengthened her resolve. Her success in the resit has validated her academic potential and brought immense pride to Queens Convent,” she noted.
Dr. Ibezim also voiced concern about the emotional toll the initial UTME irregularities had on students nationwide, some of whom, she said, were traumatised by the experience, with tragic outcomes reported in a few cases.
Nmesoma’s journey from an erroneous initial score to a confirmed 343 in the UTME resit exposes ongoing systemic flaws within Nigeria’s examination framework. Her achievement, despite these challenges, underscores the urgent need for reforms that guarantee fairness and transparency for all candidates, while showcasing the determination of students and institutions committed to academic excellence
