Photos: 16-year-old British-Nigerian Maths prodigy becomes one of the youngest students to attend Cambridge University

Andrew Ejemai from Auriel Avenue,
Dagenham, achieved A* in Maths as well as A in AS Physics, Grade 1 in
STEP II and III, A* in Additional Further Maths, and As in the new
Linear Chemistry and Economics to meet his offer to study Mathematics at
Corpus Christi College.

The course is highly competitive,
attracting more than 1,400 applications this year. Speaking to The Voice
about the fact that he will be attending one of the world’s prestigious
universities two years ahead of his contemporaries, he said:

“I’m mostly grateful to God
Almighty for helping me to achieve this great feat. I believe that
without hard work, perseverance, parental and school support this would
not have been possible. I am indebted to all my teachers and headmaster
of Brentwood School for believing in me, and giving me the opportunity
to complete my three A level subjects in one year.
Whilst I did not participate in any of the Cambridge programmes, I
found the Cambridge online STEP Support Programme very useful in my
independent preparation for STEP papers.” Brentwood School pupil told
the Post”

Andrew said he owes his love of
numbers to his mum Ronke. He isn’t daunted about starting university two
years ahead of his peers, and is “mostly looking forward to the sports –
athletics and football – and meeting other people.”

He is also a talented musician, a grade six in both piano and cello.

His proud dad Sunny, 52, said he was “elated, to put it mildly.”

Andrew’s headmaster, Ian Davies, called him “an exceptional student”.

“Andrew has been an exceptional
student. In addition to his mathematical excellence, he has played a
full part in the musical and sporting life of the school, as well as
enjoying our Combined Cadet Force.

“These extra-curricular
opportunities have provided a healthy balance and have enabled Andrew to
develop into a well-rounded 16 year-old who will thrive at Cambridge.”

The teenage genius made news back
in 2013 when he became the youngest person in his school’s history to
pass an A-Level exam when he gained an ‘A*’ in his Maths A-Level at the
age of just 12.

“After being interviewed, I studied
past papers and worked extremely hard to gain the necessary exam
results. When I was told that I would be going to Cambridge University, I
was very happy.” he said.

The talented student, who has his sights set on a career in finance, added:

”My advice to other youngsters is to work hard, persevere and with talent, you can also receive a place at a good university.”

Ejemai recalls that his potential
was uncovered at the approximate age of four, when a teacher asked him
to write a simple formula for a sum and he pencilled down a complex
equation, instead.

Describing his fascination with numbers, the high-flying pupil recalled:

“What I enjoy about maths is the problem-solving aspect of the subject. It always gives me satisfaction.”

Ejemai’s father Sonny hopes his
son’s example will encourage other young black pupils to excel
academically and apply to attend Britain’s top universities. He however
insisted that black youths will only excel if they receive adequate
support, primarily from their parents.

“The best mentor for children
should be parents. Me and my wife believe that every child has the
potential to be a genius, but parents need to nurture their talent.
Andrew’s mother, Ronke, would give him various challenges centred around
school subjects and outside activities, and this started at the age of
three,” he told The Voice

“I saw that encouraging youths can
be tough, but parents need to be focused and dedicated to the cause.
It’s a marathon. But if they start early and have the G factor – the
God-factor – it’s possible to provide a good foundation. It’s all about
dreaming big and giving children the opportunity to try things.”

He added:
“My key advice is having plenty of parental involvement.”

-Additional report: The Voice UK