UBA Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the names of the 20 finalists of the 2026 edition of its annual National Essay Competition (NEC). The finalists, selected from over 12,000 entries received across the country, are now set to compete for N41.5 million in educational grants and prizes for the top five winners.
At the end of the competition, the first-place winner will receive a N15 million university grant, a 50 per cent increase from the N10 million awarded in 2025, while the second- and third-place winners will receive N10 million and N7.5 million respectively towards their university education to study in any African university of their choice. For the first time, the fourth- and fifth-place winners will receive N5 million and N3.5 million each.
Selected by accredited judges, from entries submitted by senior secondary school students across Nigeria, the finalists represent schools in Katsina, Kano, Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Awka, Port Harcourt, Imo and Akwa Ibom, and will now proceed to a final round of supervised essay writing at UBA House, Lagos.
The 20 finalists are Abioye Shalom Damilola, The Sprouters Schools, Katsina; Adedoye Roseline Aderonke, Molusi College; Alabi Fawwaz Ayoade, Heritage Global Academy, Ikorodu, Lagos; Ayomide Jeremiah Dada, Softnet Technology Academy; Anyanwu Uchenna Olivia, Coral Impacts International School, Abuja; Azuoma Dominica Ugonna, Oxford Secondary School, Ulakwo; Bala Khaira Ojima, Metro International School; Ebunoluwa Louis Oluwanifemi, Igando Community Senior High School; Ezeani Uchenwanne Theresa, Kuje Senior Secondary School; and Gabriel Queenesther Iniobong, Redemption Academy.
Forward to the final round and to supporting the winners as they begin their university education. Year after year, this competition confirms our belief that the young minds of today hold the key to a more prosperous and self-sufficient Nigeria.”
Now in its 16th consecutive year, UBA Foundation’s NEC remains one of UBA Foundation’s flagship education initiatives, as part of its Read Africa programme and other interventions designed to promote literacy, education and youth development across Africa.