The Deeper Life Bible Church, Suleja Region in Niger State, has raised the qualification benchmark for its UTME Champions Award to 280 and above from 2027.
Region Overseer, Pastor Samuel Ndagi, said the decision was aimed at encouraging academic excellence among young members.
He said the award, introduced in 2024, initially recognised the church’s highest UTME scorers without a fixed benchmark before the qualification was raised to 250 and above.
Ndagi said the reward system had motivated more youths to improve their UTME performance.
The highest scorer in the 2026 UTME among church members in the region was Joanita Jude, who scored 304. She was followed by Precious Ajah with 273 and Chidera Ejikeme with 269.
The church awarded N100,000 to Jude, N70,000 to Ajah and N50,000 to Ejikeme.
Jude, who plans to study Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said the award would support her education.
Ajah, who secured admission to study Pharmacy at David Umahi Federal University, Uburu, said the recognition had encouraged her to continue striving for excellence.
Other students at the ceremony said the award had motivated them to work harder and improve their academic performance.
