By Muhammad Mamman
UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced that winners of the 2025 edition of its annual National Essay Competition (NEC) will receive educational grants totalling over ₦22.5 million to study at any university in Africa.
This year’s first-prize winner will receive a ₦10 million university grant — a notable 33% increase from last year’s ₦7.5 million award. The second and third-place winners will receive ₦7.5 million and ₦5 million, respectively, up from ₦5 million and ₦3.5 million in the previous edition.
In addition to the cash prizes, the writers of the 12 best essays will each receive brand-new laptops and other learning tools to support their academic work.
The NEC forms part of UBA Foundation’s educational initiative, which seeks to promote literacy and encourage intellectual competition among senior secondary school students across Nigeria and the African continent.
This year’s essay topic is: “Nigeria is characterised by diverse cultures, ethnicities, and religions. How can young Nigerians deploy diversity to build a united nation?”
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, highlighted the foundation’s ongoing commitment to empowering young people through education.
“The deliberate and significant increase in the value of these grants underscores our dedication to supporting academic excellence and easing the financial burden of higher education for Nigerian families. We are confident this will further inspire a culture of learning and critical thinking,” she said.
Atta reaffirmed that UBA Foundation remains firmly committed to creating meaningful opportunities for African youth, who she described as “the future of our continent.”
To qualify, participants must be Nigerian senior secondary school students. Applicants are required to submit a scanned copy of their handwritten essay (no more than 750 words), a recent passport photograph, and a valid form of identification — such as a birth certificate, National ID, or international passport — via the UBA Foundation’s dedicated online portal.
The deadline for submission is Friday, 17 October 2025. Entries can be submitted through the foundation’s website at ubagroup.com/uba-foundation/national-essay-competition or by scanning the QR code featured on official posters and online platforms.
UBA Foundation serves as the CSR arm of UBA Plc, driving socio-economic development across Africa through initiatives in education, environmental sustainability, economic empowerment, and special community projects.
