Beyond Grades: How Chrisland\u2019s Culture of Excellence Produced a World Topper, , <\/p>\n
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Built on a foundation of discipline, faith, and mentorship, Chrisland School continues to nurture world-class achievers like 16-year-old Naomi Olayinka, whose \u2018Top in the World\u2019 honour in the 2024 Cambridge IGCSE examinations reaffirms the school\u2019s culture of intentional excellence. Funmi Ogundare reports<\/p>\n
When Miss Naomi Olayinka, 16, of Chrisland High School, Ikeja, was announced as the \u2018Top in the World\u2019 in English as a Second Language in the 2024 Cambridge IGCSE examinations, she was momentarily speechless. For a teenager who had spent countless evenings revising essays and poring over novels, the moment felt unreal, but not undeserved.<\/p>\n
She told journalists, \u201cI was completely speechless at first, but when it finally sank in, I was just grateful to God, my teachers, and my parents. It showed me that hard work truly pays off.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olayinka\u2019s victory is not an isolated triumph. It continues a proud tradition at Chrisland Schools, one that saw Mmesomachukwu Okonkwo of the school\u2019s VGC campus clinch the same global title in 2023. Her achievement reaffirms the school\u2019s reputation as one of Nigeria\u2019s most consistent producers of high-achieving students on both national and international stages.<\/p>\n
Behind the title lies a story of discipline and quiet determination. Olayinka described her study routine as consistent but balanced.<\/p>\n
She dedicated her time daily to reading, writing essays, and tackling past question papers while expanding her vocabulary through novels and newspapers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were times I felt overwhelmed, but I learned to take things one step at a time,\u201d Olayinka. \u201cMy parents and teachers encouraged me constantly, and prayer gave me strength when I felt tired or unsure.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the assembly prefect of her set, Olayinka also had to juggle leadership responsibilities with academics, a balance she said taught her discipline and time management.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a prefect helped me stay organised. I learned that leadership is about serving others, and that discipline makes both leadership and learning possible. They prayed with me, reminded me to rest, and believed in me even when I doubted myself,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Olayinka, who aspires to become a lawyer, hopes to use her voice for justice and community building. For her, being at the top in the world is both an honour and a responsibility, a reminder that excellence is possible when faith meets effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t compare yourself to others, stay consistent, listen to your teachers, and never underestimate the power of hard work and prayer,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Mrs Ayoola Akinyeye, Director of Schools at Chrisland Schools Limited, described Olayinka\u2019s achievement as one that reflects a system, not a stroke of luck.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Chrisland, excellence is not an exception; it\u2019s our default. While \u2018Top in the World\u2019 has room for only one, our record of outstanding results each year shows that sustained excellence across large numbers is our true distinction,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Akinyeye attributed the success to a blend of rigorous academics, passionate teachers, and a value-driven culture that prioritises curiosity, confidence, and disciplined effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a mentoring system we call the teacher-parenting scheme. It helps every learner set high standards, believe in their potential, and take ownership of their growth. Achievement here is not accidental; it\u2019s built daily through reflection, feedback, and perseverance.\u201d<\/p>\n
She advised young achievers to \u201cremain humble, stay curious, and keep growing. You carry the hopes of younger ones who now believe more is possible because of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Olajide Onigbogi, Executive Head of Schools (Communications) and Regional Head for Abuja and VGC campuses, describes Chrisland\u2019s success as intentional excellence.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the product of discipline, professionalism, and love for learning woven into the fabric of our system,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to him, the school\u2019s five core values \u2014 discipline, integrity, professionalism, love, and excellence \u2014 represented by the acronym DISCIPLE \u2014 shape how students and staff teach, learn, and interact.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese values are not just written on walls; they are lived daily. Every student is seen, known, and supported through our pastoral care and mentorship system. Teachers are not just instructors but mentors and moral guides,\u201d Onigbogi explained.<\/p>\n
That personal connection, he added, helps students develop resilience and confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe teach our learners to see challenges as opportunities. Every setback becomes a lesson. That\u2019s how we prepare them not just for exams, but for life,\u201d stated Onigbogi.<\/p>\n
Chrisland\u2019s record of excellence stretches far beyond Naomi\u2019s success story. In 2024, 96 per cent of WASSCE graduates from Chrisland High School, Abuja, earned all distinctions, most with A1 grades. Two years earlier, Ncheta Mbaronye earned the Best WASSCE result in Lagos State, while in 2025,\u00a0 Daniella Michael placed second nationwide in NECO BECE.<\/p>\n
The school also dominates sports and co-curricular competitions. Its students are current champions in athletics and soccer under the Association of International School Educators of Nigeria (AISEN).<\/p>\n
\u201cThese successes are not isolated,\u201d Onigbogi noted. \u201cThey reflect a consistent system,\u00a0 a blend of hard work, mentoring, and grace. Education for us is not just about grades but about developing balanced, confident, and globally competitive learners.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also emphasised the school\u2019s partnership with parents as a crucial factor, stating, \u201cOur parents share our vision and reinforce the same values at home. It\u2019s a collective effort. Every child carries a seed of greatness; our job is to nurture it with love, discipline, and excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n
, Education \u2013 THISDAYLIVE, November 12, 2025, 2:49 am<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Beyond Grades: How Chrisland\u2019s Culture of Excellence Produced a World Topper, , Built on a foundation of discipline, faith, and mentorship, Chrisland School continues to nurture world-class achievers like 16-year-old Naomi Olayinka, whose \u2018Top in the World\u2019 honour in the 2024 Cambridge IGCSE examinations reaffirms the school\u2019s culture of intentional excellence. Funmi Ogundare reports When […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3,854,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15186","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-education","category-featured","category-school-matters"],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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