Eighteen-year-old Nwachukwu Victor emerged as the best-performing male student in the 2024 June/July National Examination Council (NECO) for senior school candidates, earning national recognition and a cash prize of N750,000, from the Learn Africa Education Development Foundation.
His outstanding academic achievement has not only brought pride to his school and family but also serves as an inspiration to students across the country, as his feat got rewarded at the Learn Africa-NECO 2025 Excellence Awards.
The former St. Paul’s Academy, Jos, Plateau State, following after his predecessor, Chima Okafor, who emerged the 2023 overall best student, Nwachukwu, won the first-runner-up prize, and the only male student among the top three winners.
The Anambra State-born Medicine and Surgery student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, began his educational trajectory at the Kingdom Heritage Model School, Jos, for primary education, before proceeding to St. Paul’s Academy and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, respectively.
Unlike most last born, Ikechukwu, as he is fondly called by his acquaintances, was resilient and determined to make a success of his life, as he was committed to his studies.
“I studied mostly at night, usually from 12:00 am till 4:00 am. I also studied in school during the day when I had free time, and made sure I read something every day and I had no days off,” he said.
His hard work and discipline earned A1 in all the nine subjects he sat the 2024/25 June/July NECO for senior school candidates.
The subjects are English Language-A1, General Mathematics -A1, Physics-A1, Chemistry-A1, Biology-A1, Geography-A1, Agricultural Science-A1, Civic Education-A1 and Marketing-A1.
Speaking on what helped him achieve such a remarkable feat at such a tender age, the genius said, “I think my self-confidence and extreme discipline was what helped me achieve this great feat.”
Like every other thing in life, the lanky young medical student emphasized that he encountered some challenges preparing for his NECO that year.
“It was difficult giving up my sleep to study at night. I had moments I was very tired and weak especially during the day but I kept persevering,” he emphasised.
The 18-year- old Nwachukwu aspires to be a revolutionary doctor someday, who would become a global game-changer through medicine.
He has his mother as his role model in life, especially as it concerns being diligent and hard working.
“My mother is very hardworking and dedicated, and her diligence is a motivation for me to be diligent as well. She’s so focused on her goals which serves as an inspiration to me,” he said.
Ikechukwu applauded his parents for their role in moulding him to become the best he can.
Both my father and mother, though business oriented, are very supportive in my academic trajectory.
Speaking on the influence of peer pressure, the young medical student said, “I reminded myself that I had to stand out no matter what and that entails me not conforming to what ‘everybody’ is doing.”
He emphasised that social media to him was not a distraction as it helps him with his academic research and assignments.
“I dared to be different concerning social media. I used my phone to surf the internet and gather relevant information from different sources on various subjects.
“I disciplined myself enough to say no to getting distracted by social media,” he emphasised.
He aspires to become an established medical doctor in the next 10 years with his own private hospital.
“I hope to make the world a better place through my passion.
Believe in God, work hard, believe in yourself, stay focused and be consistent,” he said.
