No fewer than 118 Nigerian students from 47 schools have won a combined 156 awards at the 2025 Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards, earning global and national recognition for exceptional performances in the Cambridge IGCSE, O Level and Cambridge International AS & A Level examinations.
The awards, presented by Cambridge University Press and Assessment in partnership with the British Council, recognised students who excelled in the June and November 2025 examination series, further cementing Nigeria’s reputation as one of the world’s leading producers of high-performing Cambridge learners.
This year’s recognition places Nigeria among more than 40 countries where Cambridge celebrates academic excellence. Sixteen students received the prestigious Top in the World awards after recording the highest standard marks globally in individual subjects.
In addition, 77 students won Top in Nigeria awards for achieving the highest scores nationally in individual subjects, while 56 learners received High Achievement awards for outstanding performance in less commonly taken subjects. Seven students also earned the Best Across awards for recording the highest cumulative standard marks across multiple subjects.
Speaking at the awards ceremony in Lagos, the Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, International Education at Cambridge, Juan Visser, said the achievements reflected the commitment and academic excellence of Nigerian learners.
“Our Cambridge learners in Nigeria have once again demonstrated exceptional dedication and excellence through their outstanding examination results, and we are extremely proud of their achievements, which reflect the ethos of Cambridge schools worldwide. With the support of educators, school leaders and parents, we are providing an education to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed beyond the school environment into all spheres of life,” Visser said.
The British Council’s Country Director for Nigeria, Donna McGowan, said the awardees had demonstrated resilience, determination and ambition.
“Today, we celebrate not only exceptional academic achievement but also the resilience, determination, and ambition demonstrated by these learners.
“Their success reflects the dedication of educators, parents, and school leaders who continue to nurture excellence and prepare young people with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in a globalised world,” she said.
British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, described education as one of the strongest pillars of the enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
“The United Kingdom and Nigeria share a deep and enduring partnership, which is built on mutual respect, on shared values, and on a commitment to creating opportunities for future generations.
“And education has always been one of the strongest, if not the strongest, pillars in that relationship,” Baxter said.
The Director of Examinations at the British Council Nigeria, Eyitayo Akanji, said the awards reflected years of collaboration between the council and more than 400 partner schools across the country.
“With over 400 partner schools in Nigeria, the British Council works closely with school leaders, teachers and students, and what we’re seeing tonight is a culmination of that cooperation and partnership, ensuring teacher, school development and curriculum expertise take place,” Akanji said.
Also speaking, Cambridge Territory Manager, Port Harcourt, Kanto Adesina, said the Cambridge Pathway was designed to nurture critical thinking, resilience and practical problem-solving skills among learners.
One of the award recipients, Ifeoluwa Onafowokan, expressed delight at the recognition and thanked her teachers and parents for their support.
“I’m very happy that I’ve received this award. I just want to say thank you to all my teachers, my parents and my business teacher, because I got the award for business studies.
“I want to thank him for all the effort that he put into helping us, all the resources he gave us,” she said.
Onafowokan said she hopes to study electrical engineering before pursuing a Master of Business Administration to combine engineering with business.
The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards are part of Cambridge’s global initiative to celebrate academic excellence and promote quality education. Parents and other stakeholders at the event noted that many Nigerian students who excel in the Cambridge system go on to secure admission into leading universities in Nigeria and abroad, reinforcing the growing international recognition of Cambridge qualifications.
