
Paula and Peter Imafidon are just like any other 9-year-olds. They love laughing, playing on the computer and fighting with each other. What sets these twins apart from their peers, though, is that they are, hands down, prodigies who are about to enter high school and make British history as the youngest to do so.
Watch Paula and Peter, who were 8 at the time, share their braininess here:
These precocious London-based tykes, known as the "Wonder Twins," floored academics a year ago when they aced University of Cambridge's advanced mathematics exam. They are the youngest students to ever pass the test.
The future little scholars' father, Chris, and mother, Ann, immigrated to Britain from Nigeria more than 30 years ago and have actually been down this prodigy route before with their three older children, who are also overachievers.
The couple's oldest daughter, Anne-Marie, is now 20, but at age 13, she won a British government scholarship to take undergraduate courses at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Christiana, 17, their other daughter, is the youngest student ever to study at the undergraduate level in any British University at the age of 11. Youngest daughter, Samantha, now 12, passed two rigorous high school–level mathematics and statistics exams at the age of 6. She mentored the twins to pass their own math secondary school test when they were also 6.
Even with all of this, the proud dad denies that there is any particular genius in his family. He does credit his children's success to the Excellence in Education program for disadvantaged inner-city youth. "Every child is a genius," he said. "Once you identify the talent of a child and put them in the environment that will nurture that talent, then the sky is the limit. Look at Tiger Woods or the Williams sisters -- they were nurtured. You can never rule anything out with them. The competition between the two of them makes them excel in anything they do."
The darling duo are competitive to say the least, and this is what fuels them to out-achieve each other. Paula said, "I am excited to pass, but I should have got higher than Peter."
As far as career paths Paula says she wants to be a math teacher, while Peter aspires to be prime minister one day.
All it takes is a dream....


Comments: (118)
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By: Dr. Harriet M. Grigsby on 3/24/2010 1:01PM
I agree with most of you to a point. 1st of all there are Afro-American children who have achieved having come from a 1 parent home. The problem is the Media is so busy broadcasting those that are out of control. They don't even search for respectful, intelligent youth. That is all over this country. Tears welled in my eyes @the happiness that all of our youth regardless of race are NOT gone to WASTE.
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By: Exousia Consulting on 4/06/2010 12:50PM
This is encouraging to hear and see. Don't believe the hype - our black children are intelligent - many are not encouraged to their full potential! This encourages me as a teacher, training consultant to run more youth programs.
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By: Michael on 4/06/2010 4:55PM
At last a positive, inspirational story for our young black youth.
Think I'll be smiling all day.......
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By: Jordin Pierce on 5/26/2010 1:30PM
I think it's outstanding that some kids their age could do something so amazing
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By: Jo Williams on 1/12/2011 12:15AM
Hello,
Is this the same family that got this award from the British congress? For a 15-year old girl to start a Masters degree in Mathematics at Oxford University and also played College football.
I always knew that intelligence was genetic!
.....Maths Genius (Imafidon) Receives Award In Parliament
See more of the news at http://www.onlinenewsbyte.com/maths-genius-receives-award-in-parliament/4321072/
Anne-Marie Imafidon, along with other outstanding students were honored with a special plaque for being the youngest ever school girl to pass College-level (Advanced level) exams in the twin subjects of Mathematics and computing. This was at the palace of Westminste
Thanks
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By: James Gadson on 12/28/2010 1:19PM
There are geniuses born and there are idiots born. Some geniuses take time to find what they can excel in. Some find out right away, and some are stunted by external abuses etc.
Can you imagine these children in an earlier period when blacks were told they were dumb and would only be good for service jobs by white teachers?
Idiots on the other hand rarely make it into service jobs and many find their way behind bars etc.
Think about how many would-be geniuses are murdered in wars or, are starving in parts of Africa or some impoverished country because of greedy murderous world conquerors.
These children have a good father and are destined to be fairly well balanced loving and quite intelligent adults.
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By: Dj on 8/19/2011 12:59PM
Why is this a surprise? These children have blood in them that has come thru the ages. Most people are smart if they would only tap into the power that they have in themselves.
Thanks BV great article.
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By: Sky on 1/28/2012 8:37AM
How do you know what every person born in the U.S. who are people of color do with their children? On the other hand, there are not any colored children in our race.
All people are colored.
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