The UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has unveiled significant enhancements to its flagship National Essay Competition (NEC) for 2025, announcing that winners will receive educational grants worth over N22.5 million to study at any university within Africa.
This year’s first-place winner will be awarded a N10 million university grant, marking a remarkable 33 per cent increase from the N7.5 million prize awarded in 2024. The second and third-place winners will also receive increased grants of N7.5 million and N5 million respectively, up from N5 million and N3.5 million offered in the previous edition. These substantial increases, according to the Foundation, are part of ongoing efforts to encourage academic excellence and reduce the financial burden of higher education for young Nigerians.
In addition to the monetary prizes, the top 12 finalists will each receive brand-new laptops and other essential educational tools to support their academic journeys, particularly in research and preparation for tertiary education.
The competition, now a cornerstone of the Foundation’s commitment to education and youth empowerment, is open to senior secondary school students in Nigeria. It challenges participants to demonstrate critical thinking, creativity, and a deep understanding of societal issues through the power of the written word. This year’s essay topic focuses on national unity and cultural integration:
“Nigeria is characterised by diverse cultures, ethnicities, and religions. How can young Nigerians deploy diversity to build a united nation?”
Speaking on the significance of this year’s competition, the Managing Director/CEO of UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, reiterated the Foundation’s unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. She highlighted the motivation behind the increased prize offerings and the importance of nurturing intellectual talent across the continent.
“The deliberate and significant increase in the value of these educational grants underscores our dedication to investing in academic excellence and alleviating the financial burden of higher education for Nigerian students and their families,” she said.
“We are confident that this will further inspire a culture of academic achievement and critical thinking.”
Atta added that the Foundation remains fully committed to creating life-changing opportunities for African youth, who she described as the driving force of the continent’s future.
Now in its 15th year, the NEC has grown to become one of the most prestigious and impactful student competitions in Africa, promoting literacy and encouraging intellectual engagement among young people. Past winners have gone on to excel in universities across Africa and the world, often becoming ambassadors of the programme and mentors to aspiring writers.
To qualify for the 2025 edition, applicants must be Nigerian students currently enrolled in senior secondary school. Interested participants are required to submit handwritten essays of no more than 750 words, along with a recent passport photograph, and a valid form of identification such as a birth certificate, national ID, or international passport.
Entries must be submitted via the dedicated portal on the UBA Foundation’s official website, or by scanning the QR code found on promotional posters and digital platforms. The submission deadline is Friday, October 17th, 2025.
As anticipation builds toward the announcement of winners, the UBA Foundation continues to reinforce its belief in the power of education as a tool for empowerment, transformation, and continental progress.
