Out of hundreds of pupils who sat for Chrisland’s entrance exams, only a few made it all the way to the final stage and 14 emerged with scholarships.
The pupils, drawn from Chrisland Schools, earned the award after excelling in both the main entrance examination and the scholarship test.
The scholarship covers full tuition for the first three years of secondary school, with a chance of extension for another three years based on sustained academic performance.
At the presentation ceremony held at Chrisland School, Opebi, the Managing Director, Mrs Ibironke Adeyemi, said the initiative has impacted many students over the years.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to stay focused as they move into a new academic phase.
“Secondary school will come with new challenges and subjects that require more effort. You must persevere and continue to let your talents shine,” she said.
Adeyemi also explained that the process is highly competitive.
“The examination has been very competitive. That is why we introduced the scholarship test. After excelling in the main entrance examination, the students sit for the scholarship examination,” she added.
Beyond the students, she acknowledged the role of parents and teachers in shaping the pupils’ success.
The Executive Head of Schools, Dr Olajide Onigbogi, described the scholarship as part of the institution’s commitment to giving back.
According to him, the programme has been running for over 30 years, consistently rewarding academic excellence.
“We have always given scholarships to an average of 15 to 17 learners every year. This year, we awarded scholarships to 14 of them,” he said.
He further highlighted the selection process, noting that between 500 and 700 pupils sit for the entrance examination annually. From this pool, about 20 are shortlisted for the scholarship stage, with only a few emerging as final awardees.
The initiative, valued at millions of naira, is designed not just to reward excellence but to sustain it.
“What we actually stand for is academic excellence, and that is what we are trying to promote,” Onigbogi noted.
For parents, the moment was also reflective.
Mrs Chidera Okonkwo, whose four children have benefited from the scholarship programme, attributed their success to discipline, hard work, and strong foundational learning.
“There is no shortcut. Parents should allow their wards to complete their primary education,” she said, warning against the temptation to rush children through the system.
She also pointed to technology as a growing distraction, urging parents to strike a balance in how children engage with it.
Credit: TheGuardian
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