The UBA Foundation, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the commencement of the 2025 edition of its annual National Essay Competition (NEC), with prizes worth over N18 million up for grabs.
Now in its 15th consecutive year, the competition is open to senior secondary school students across Nigeria, who are invited to submit essays on the theme: *“Nigeria is characterised by diverse cultures, ethnicities, and religions. How can young Nigerians deploy diversity to build a united nation?”* Entries are to be submitted digitally by Friday, October 17, 2025.
As part of its renewed commitment to education and youth development, the Foundation has significantly increased the value of its educational grants. The first-place winner will receive a N10 million university scholarship to study at any African university, a 33% increase from last year’s N7.5 million. The second and third-place winners will receive N7.5 million and N5 million, respectively—also higher than last year’s awards of N5 million and N3.5 million.
Speaking on the launch, Managing Director/CEO of UBA Foundation, Mrs. Bola Atta, highlighted the importance of the competition in nurturing intellectual curiosity and fostering unity.
“For well over a decade, the National Essay Competition has provided a vital platform for our secondary school students to express their ideas and showcase their intellectual prowess. In fact, parents and pupils have come to look forward to the NEC as they keep calling to ask about the commencement,” Atta said.
She noted that this year’s topic is particularly significant, as it challenges young Nigerians to explore how the nation’s cultural and ethnic diversity can serve as a catalyst for unity and long-term development.
Eligible participants are required to complete an online application form, upload a handwritten essay of no more than 750 words on the given topic, along with a recent passport photograph and valid identification such as a birth certificate, National ID card, or international passport. Entries can be submitted via the Foundation’s official website or by scanning the QR code available on official posters.
The NEC has expanded beyond Nigeria to other African countries where UBA operates, allowing more young Africans to benefit from the educational opportunities.
Over the years, the competition has become one of UBA Foundation’s flagship initiatives, aimed at promoting critical thinking, reviving the reading culture, and empowering Africa’s next generation of leaders. The Foundation has also supported education through its *Read Africa* project, donating hundreds of thousands of books to students across the continent.