By Victor Nwegede
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has awarded a university scholarship to Obasi Victor Nnanna, the highest-scoring candidate from Ebonyi State in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Umahi's media aide, Francis Nwaze, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, noting that the minister made the scholarship offer shortly after receiving news of the student's outstanding performance from the management of King David Gifted Academy, Abakaliki.
According to the statement, Umahi expressed joy over the academic feat and immediately pledged to sponsor the student's university education. "I give God the glory. I offer scholarship to this child," the minister was quoted as saying.
Nnanna scored an aggregate of 356 in the UTME, recording 98 in Mathematics, 98 in Physics, 91 in Chemistry and 69 in English Language. The performance made him the highest-scoring candidate in Ebonyi State and placed him among the top scorers nationwide.
The beneficiary is a member of the pioneer graduating class of King David Gifted Academy, a school established by Umahi in 2016 during his tenure as Governor of Ebonyi State.
The institution was founded to promote academic excellence and nurture future leaders through quality education.
Reacting to the achievement, the Principal of King David Gifted Academy, Rev. Sis. Dr. Onyeukwu Veronica, described Nnanna as an exceptionally brilliant student whose success was the result of years of dedication, discipline and hard work.
She said the student consistently maintained first position in his class from Junior Secondary School One (JSS1) to Senior Secondary School Three (SS3), with cumulative averages of not less than 95 per cent in every academic term.
According to her, Nnanna also represented the school in several local and national academic competitions, winning numerous awards and distinctions.
"Obasi Victor Nnanna is an exceptionally brilliant student whose commitment to excellence has remained consistent over the years. His achievement in the 2026 UTME is a testament to his hard work, discipline and passion for learning," she said.
Beyond academics, the principal noted that Nnanna served as the Senior Prefect of the school and currently holds the position of Speaker of the Ebonyi State Children's Parliament, demonstrating outstanding leadership qualities.
She added that the student's achievement had become a source of inspiration to other learners within and outside the school community.
The scholarship award has drawn commendation from education stakeholders and residents of Ebonyi State, who described it as a fitting reward for excellence and a motivation for young people to pursue academic success.
