The Deeper Life Bible Church, Suleja Region in Niger State, has raised the benchmark for its Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Champions Award to 280.
The Region Overseer, Pastor Samuel Ndagi, disclosed this at the 2026 UTME Champions Award ceremony in Suleja.
Ndagi explained that when the award was introduced in 2024, it was open to the highest-scoring candidates among the church’s youths, without a specific qualifying benchmark.
He said the church subsequently raised the qualifying score to 250 and above.
According to him, the reward system had motivated the youths to work harder academically, resulting in improved UTME scores each year.
“This means more candidates now qualify for the award, making it more competitive.
“From 2027, we are raising the qualifying benchmark for the UTME Champions Award to 280 and above. We are not only interested in the spiritual welfare of our young members but also in their academic excellence,” Ndagi said.
He said the highest-scoring candidate among Deeper Life members in the Suleja Region in the 2026 UTME was Miss Joanita Jude, who scored 304. She was followed by Miss Precious Ajah with 273 and Master Chidera Ejikeme with 269.
The church presented N100,000 to Jude, N70,000 to Ajah and N50,000 to Ejikeme at the ceremony, which was attended by hundreds of congregants.
Ndagi prayed that the paths of the award recipients would continue to shine as they pursue their chosen careers in higher institutions.
Jude said she had always been determined to excel and had worked hard to achieve the goals she set for herself.
“I believe this cash award will assist me in furthering my education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where I have applied to study Medicine and Surgery. I am, however, still awaiting admission,” she said.
Her mother, Mrs Chika Jude, expressed delight over her daughter’s performance and the recognition.
“I am so happy because I believe God is taking my daughter higher.
“Parents should not cease praying for their children but should encourage them despite a poor academic start.
We should not give up on them but always remind God about His promises for their success in life,” she said.
The first runner-up, Ajah, said she studied hard for the UTME because she wanted to make her parents proud and ensure that their sacrifices for her education were not in vain.
“The church should keep encouraging and motivating us, the students, to be at our best. This award will help me procure some of my provisions in preparation for resumption at the university,” she said.
Ajah has secured admission to study Pharmacy at the David Umahi Federal University, Uburu, Ebonyi State.
Her mother, Mrs Blessing Ajah, expressed gratitude for the award, saying, “Little is much when God is in it. I thank God for the support from the church and pray that God will replenish the church’s pocket.”
The second runner-up, Ejikeme, was represented by his father, as he was reportedly away at Rhema University, where he had secured admission to study Medicine and Surgery.
His father praised God, whom he described as the author of wisdom, for giving the family a testimony through his son’s success.
“I thank God that my son, Chidera, was born in Deeper Life, grew up in the church’s doctrines and has been so favoured. I pray God to keep the church for His glory,” he said.
Miss Faith Olayemi, an SS3 student, said the UTME Champions Award had motivated her to work harder.
“When those champions were called to the pulpit area for their awards, I was determined that it would be my turn one day. As their proud parents came out to take photographs with them, I would like to make my parents proud also.
“In fact, I am working hard to win a scholarship for my studies at the university.
“The church has always been encouraging us to focus more on our studies than on our handsets and other electronic gadgets, which should be used to improve our skills and knowledge rather than for chatting and entertainment,” she said.
Another youth, Miss Victory Jonathan, an SS2 student, said she was motivated by the champions’ hard work and determined to work harder to score higher than they did and win future awards.
Miss Victoria Michael, an SS1 student, said she was impressed by the UTME champions’ scores, particularly in an era when many students are distracted by digital technology.
She urged her fellow students to take their studies more seriously and serve God more acceptably.
