By Ebunoluwa Sessou

The British Council and Cambridge International Education have celebrated Nigeria’s highest-achieving learners at the 2026 British Council Recognition and Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards, BROCLA, recognising exceptional performances recorded in the June and November 2025 Cambridge examination series.

The awards ceremony, held in Lagos honoured outstanding learners and schools across the country for their academic excellence and global competitiveness.

A total of 156 awards were presented to learners and schools, comprising 51 School Awardees, seven Best Across Subjects Awardees, 77 Top in the Country Awardees, 16 Top in the World Cambridge IGCSE Awardees, and 56 High Achievement Awards.

The awards recognise learners who attained the highest marks in individual subjects in Nigeria, as well as those whose performance ranked among the very best globally. The Top in the World category honours learners who achieved the highest standard marks worldwide in their respective subjects.

In addition, the High Achievement Awards were presented to learners who demonstrated exceptional performance in subjects that are less widely taken in Nigeria, ensuring that excellence across the broad spectrum of the Cambridge curriculum is acknowledged and celebrated.

Speaking at the ceremony, British Council Nigeria Country Director, Donna McGowan, congratulated the award recipients as well as their schools, teachers and families.

“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.

Cambridge International Education, she noted, applies rigorous and consistent criteria in determining award recipients. Learners receive awards only when they attain the highest marks in a subject and meet the minimum grade and standard mark requirements for each award category.

According to her,  this process ensures that achievements recognised under the awards scheme remain comparable across countries, subjects and qualification levels.

Also speaking, the Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Cambridge International Education, Juan Visser, described BROCLA as an important platform for recognising outstanding academic achievement.

“BROCLA is a celebration of excellence. It recognises learners who have worked hard and competed successfully on a global stage. It is also an opportunity to honour their parents and teachers who have supported them throughout the journey,” he said.

Visser expressed delight at the increasing number of Nigerian students attaining world-class results in Cambridge examinations.

He pointed out that Cambridge assessments are written by students across multiple countries, making the achievements of Nigerian learners even more significant.

The Director of Examinations at the British Council Nigeria, Eyitayo Akanji, attributed the award recipients’ success to sustained collaboration between schools, teachers, students and the British Council.

According to him, excellence requires preparation, dedication and effective support systems.

The Head of Schools Business Development for West Africa at Cambridge International Education, Efua Asiedu, described the Cambridge curriculum as a flexible and globally recognised programme that enables students to pursue educational opportunities both within and outside Nigeria.

Among the award recipients was Ifeoluwa Onafowokan, who emerged as the Best in Nigeria in Business Studies.

Another award recipient, Maimunah Salako, who received awards in Biology and Chemistry, attributed her achievement to effective revision, extensive use of past examination papers and support from her teachers.