Nigeria’s Victory Yinka-Banjo, a 17-year-old former high school graduate has been offered more than five million dollars worth of scholarship; for an undergraduate program of study, according to admission documents and estimates of financial aid awards.
“It still feels pretty unbelievable. I applied to so many schools because I didn’t even think any school would accept me,” an elated Victory told CNN, on academic prowess.
Her parents are both Nigerians; her mother Chika Yinka-Banjo, is a senior lecturer at the University of Lagos and her father, Adeyinka Banjo, procurement and supply chain executive. Victory was given potential full scholarships from the Ivy League schools, Yale College, Princeton University, Harvard College, and Brown University.
Other US scholarship offers included those from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Virginia.
Victory also was offered the Lester B. Pearson scholarship from the University of Toronto and the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow (KMILOT) scholarship from the University of British Columbia. In Canada.
“Their admissions processes are extremely selective,” Victory added.
“They only accept the best of the best. So, you can imagine how, on a daily basis; I have to remind myself that I actually got into these schools. It is surreal!”
Victory Yinka-Banjo
Victory who was a senior prefect during her time in high school; rose to national prominence in late 2020 after she scored straight As in her West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
Months earlier, the Nigerian teen had been rated as the “Top in the World” in English as a second language (speaking endorsement); by the University of Cambridge International Examination (CIE).
Victory Yinka-Banjo aced the Cambridge IGCSE exam acquiring A in all six subjects she sat for.
Victory told CNN her remarkable achievements are borne out of hard work.
The Whizkid also remarked that her multiple scholarship offers have made her stand taller; smile wider, and pat herself on the back more often.
