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• How 19 UNILAG International School students set new records
By Gabriel Dike
Nineteen SS3 students of the International School, University of Lagos State (ISL), have set new records in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
It is the first time in 41 years that many students of the school performed well in the UTME. One of the students scored 328 in the UTME. Last year, 15 students recorded outstanding performance with the highest scoring above 340.
The Education Report visited the school and spoke with the 19 whiz kids, the principal, Mr. Kolawole Olatayo Amusan, and principal tutor, Mrs. Bello Ewere Patience.
Their predictions in WASSCE
Roberts Belema Ayibo Paul was the top scorer, with 328. He said he prepared for the matriculation exam like other students: “When I read, I don’t cram but understand the topic.”
The 16-year-old from Rivers State gave a breakdown of his score, English, 64, Chemistry, 92, Physics, 90, and Maths, 82. He had expected a score of above 350. He intends to study Biomedical Engineering abroad.
Roberts predicted he would get 9As in the May/June 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). He said Further Maths was his best subject, whose teacher and that for Chemistry were his best teachers.
Fasona Peter Oluwatomisin, a 16-year- old student from Ondo State, wants to study Electrical Engineering in UNILAG. He scored 317: English, 70, Maths, 88, Physics, 82, and Chemistry, 77.
“I studied past questions, consulted my teachers and read constantly. Our teachers helped in our preparation for the matriculation exam. This made us understand difficult topics,’ he said.’
The highest UTME female scorer was 17-year-old Popoola Aishat Aduke. She scored 315, including English, 61, Physics, 86, Chemistry, 89, and Biology, 79.
She wishes to study Medicine and Surgery, noting: “Our teachers made huge impact on our performances.”
Fayemi Odunayowani Oloruntobiloba wants to study Mechanical Engineering abroad. He scored 314, made up of English, 70, Physics, 75, Maths, 88, and Chemistry, 81.
The Ogun State-born student said the teachers contributed immensely to their success stories. He is expecting A’s and B’s in the May/June 2023 WASSCE.
Ekeocha Noble Ikechukwu, from Imo Sate, scored 312: English, 61, Maths, 90, Chemistry, 75, and Physics, 86.
The student, who likes computers and coding, said he wants to study Computer Science at UNILAG: “Mathematics is my best subject.”
Sixteen-year-old Oloyo Haleetmat Olajumoke scored 311. She intends studying Economics in UNILAG. She got English 61, Economics 90, Government 78 and Maths 82.
She said she read the prescribed textbooks and studied past questions. In the 2023 WASSCE, she expects 7AS. Economics is her best subject.
Anikwe Israel Anjolaoluwa, scored 309. The breakdown; English 70, Maths 92, Physics 77 and Chemistry 70. His choice of course is Computer Science in UNILAG
The 17-year-old from Delta State said ISL teachers prepared them for the UTME. He expects As and Bs in the WASSCE. Anikwe Physics is his best subject and expects an A in the subject.
Adegbesan Opeoluwa Esther obtained 308 score, with English 69, Chemistry 72, Maths 75 and Physics 92. The 15-year-old student from Ogun State wishes to study Architecture in Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.
She expects 9As in the 2023 WASSCE. She lauded her teachers for pushing them hard to achieve success.
Sixteen-year-old Fasona Pamela Toluwani got 307. The breakdown includes English 69, Chemistry 89 Physics 72 and Biology 77. She intends to study Microbiology in UNILAG.
The Ondo State born said she went through past questions, consulted her teachers on some topics, used U-tube and paid attention in class. She predicts 7As and 2 Bs in WASSCE.
Shittu Opeyemi Nafisat from Oyo State scored 302. She expects As and Bs in the school exam.
The breakdown of her UTME score; English 84, Chemistry 82, Physics 66 and Biology 70.
She acknowledged the support of her teachers. She wants to study Nursing: “I have a passion for nursing since my primary school days.”
Sixteen-year-old Buari Iyinoluwa Oluwaseun made it with 298 score. He got English 57, Maths 90, Physics 81 and Chemistry 70. He wants to study Computer Engineering in a private university.
The Ogun State born predicts his grades in WASSCE as 3As and Bs.
Ibrahim-Ikoko Amir-Shakur, 16-year-old from Edo State, scored 299. The breakdown; English 62, Literature 66, Economics 91 and Government 80. He wants to study Physiology. He expects As in Government, Economics, Biology, Civic Education and IRS.
Fanimehin Kenneth Temitope scored 298. Be intends to study Medicine and Surgery in UNILAG The 16-year-old Ekiti State pupil made English 50, Physics 90, Chemistry 79 and Biology 77.
He described Mathematics as his best subject expecting to make As and B2 in WASSCE: “I have the passion to become a medical doctor.’’
Lawal Giyath Omowonuola, 16-year- old from Osun State scored 297. The breakdown is English 57, Chemistry 70, Physics 88 and Maths 82. He wants to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering in UNILAG: “I have passion for robotic.” He predicted 7 As and one B in WASSCE.
One of the youngest pupils, Osunkiyesi Tanitolorun Esther, got 296. The breakdown; English 59, Maths 79, Economics 78 and Financial Accounting 80.
The 15-year-old said: “I expected to do well in seven WASSCE subjects. The Accounting teacher, Mr. Akinwade, who taught me Accounting since my SS1 class is my best teacher.”
Fetuga Aishat Ayomide scored 295 including English 70, Maths 92, Physics 66 and chemistry 67.
She chose to study Computer Science in UNILAG.
She said: “I like gadgets and I want to find out about the technology and make the world a better place using technological tools. In my WASSCE, I expect to get 9As and my best subject is Maths.”
Ezinwa-Obi David scored 292. He made English 62, Chemistry 77, Physics 81 and Maths 72. He intends studying Computer Engineering in Covenant University, Ota, due to the incessant strikes in the public universities.
The sixteen-year-old from Imo State predicted he would score 9As in the WASSCE: “Physics is my best subject.”
Ige Tinuoluwalayo Olamide, from Ogun State, scored 291. The breakdown; English 60, Maths 80, Economics 79 and Biology 72. She intends to study Physiology in UNILAG: «I want to be a counsellor.»
In the May/June 2023 WASSCE, Ige predicted 8As and one B. She picked all the ISL teachers as her favourites.
Principal, teachers speak
Principal, Amusan, attributed the outstanding performances of his students to hard work of teachers and commitment of the students to do well:
“The school is known for excellence. Our products are all over the world showcasing excellence. We have highly qualified 107 teaching staff.
“The UTME result did not come as a surprise. It is what we expected based on our students’ preparation. This year’s UTME is better. Last year, we had 15 higher scorers. In 2023, we are celebrating 19, who scored between 328 and 291 and above.”
He told The Education Report that out of the 19 higher scorers, 15 are sciences-oriented, three social sciences and one accounting: “We expect many students to make straight As in the 2023 WASSCE and SSCE.”
Principal Tutor, Bello, said: “This set of students from SS1; they have been impressive with outstanding results. I am not surprised they are among the best in the 2023 UTME.
“Generally, our syllabus prepares them for UTME, WASSCE and SSCE. We give them extra classes. Their academic performances and character give teachers joy.
“Majority of them are prefects. ISL had produced a student with over 340 in the UTME some years back. But this is the largest in terms of the number of students.”
Bello, who is the Economics teacher for SS2 and SS3 students, said in the May/June 2023 WASSCE, she expects 9As from the students:
“We do not impose courses on students. When they are in JSS3, they write aptitude test. Based on their performances, we recommend courses for them. Many that we recommended are doing well in their courses.”
