Parents of Daniella Owoeye, the candidate who recorded the highest score in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), have opened up about the discipline and dedication that shaped her academic performance.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had announced the 16-year-old indigene of Ekiti State as the highest scorer in this year’s examination after she earned 372 marks out of 400.
JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed during the 2026 admission policy meeting in Abuja that Daniella sat for the examination in Ogun State. He added that she selected the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as her first choice where she hopes to study medicine and surgery.
In an interview, her parents, Joseph and Felicia Owoeye, said they were not shocked by the result because their daughter had maintained an unusual reading culture for years.
Joseph works as an administrator at the Covenant University library, while Felicia holds a doctorate degree in industrial chemistry from Lead City University.
The couple explained how they assisted Daniella during her preparation for the examination, where she scored 98 marks each in English Language and Chemistry.
According to them, Daniella’s reading pattern was so intense that they repeatedly appealed to her to reduce the pressure she placed on herself.
“She would read almost endlessly. We would leave her at the reading table at night and still meet her there the next morning. At a point, I told her, ‘Please take it easy. Your reading is too much,” the mother said.
Felicia said she personally guided her daughter in science-related subjects, while her husband handled English.
“I assisted Daniella during her preparation in science. My husband is not into science, but he is good at english. Anything english, she goes to daddy. Anything maths, chemistry or physics, it is mummy.
“I could spend two hours on chemistry with her and still reduce time on other things. For english, she would go to her father. But I think it is all God. Without Him, we are nothing.”
She also linked Daniella’s discipline to the values and structure within the family.
“When I was in secondary school, my best subjects were nathematics and chemistry. That passion passed on to them. She is expressive and very focused,” Felicia said.
The mother added that the family combined academic preparation with prayers and educational support.
“We kept praying for her and committing everything into the hands of God. I believe God answered our prayers,” she said.
Daniella’s father also credited her achievement to what he described as early self-discovery and determination.
“I would say a major reason is that God helped her to discover herself early in life,” he said.
“Before she was 10, she had already declared what she wanted to become. I believe self-discovery helped her the most.”
Joseph said his daughter devoted nearly all her time to studying during her preparation period.
“She studied almost 24/7. Most times, we would sleep before her, but she would still wake up before us. The way she studied was strange to me,” he said.
“At a point, I told her, ‘Daniella, God is not mad. You are doing your part. I’m sure God will not deny you His own part.”
The father said the family consistently prayed for her success and trusted God to reward her efforts.
“We kept praying for her. And we committed everything into the hands of God. God crowned her effort,” Joseph said.
The couple also advised parents to pay attention to discipline, moral values and spiritual upbringing in raising children.
“Allow your children to know God. Be disciplined and morally upright. Children imitate what they see,” the mother said.
“It is not great institutions that make great minds. It is great decisions.”
Joseph expressed a similar view.
“My own contribution is that it is not great institutions that make great minds, but great decisions” the father said.
“As parents, we should not put our children under pressure. I’m not saying those who can afford schools with big names should not put their children there.
“But what I’m saying is that if we put our children where we can afford, based on our income, and we follow it up, I’m too sure we will get results.”
“Daniella was not privileged to go to one of those big institutions with big names in Nigeria. But God helped her, and with the little we could do, she got her path in life.”
