Anambra-born scholar Mmesoma Okonkwo has achieved global academic distinction after being named the world’s top performer in English as a Second Language in the 2023 Cambridge IGCSE examinations. The former head girl of Lagos’ Chrisland High School, VGC, received the British Council’s Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award for her unprecedented feat.
The 17-year-old prodigy, daughter of engineer Emmanuel Okonkwo and civil servant Nneka Okonkwo, demonstrated mastery in written and spoken English, outperforming candidates worldwide in comprehension, creativity and grammatical precision. Her achievement was further magnified by earning straight A1 grades across nine West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC) subjects.
Cambridge International, the University of Cambridge’s examination board, described Mmesoma’s performance as “a benchmark of academic excellence reflecting Nigeria’s educational potential.” The teen had previously won Lagos State’s 2022 Inter-School Essay Competition and Chrisland Group’s 2023 Humanities Award.
Now preparing for university, the Nnewi native aims to study business with aspirations of establishing a youth-focused multinational enterprise. “True business empowers people,” Mmesoma stated during her graduation speech. “I want to build systems proving intelligence – beyond beauty – unlocks opportunities for young women.”
Her accomplishment has reignited discussions about Nigeria’s education sector, with policymakers citing her as evidence of untapped potential within the country’s school system. The Federal Ministry of Education is reportedly considering special recognition for the scholar as she prepares to represent Nigeria on global academic platforms.
