UBA Foundation Essay Competition 2026: Win ₦15 Million
The UBA Foundation has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its National Essay Competition, offering Nigerian senior secondary school students an opportunity to win educational grants worth up to ₦15 million.
The annual competition aims to promote literacy, strengthen critical thinking and encourage intellectual engagement among young Nigerians. The 2026 edition will award a total of ₦41 million in educational grants to five outstanding participants.
According to the foundation, the competition provides a platform for students to demonstrate their writing abilities while exploring important issues affecting Nigeria’s development.
Essay Topic for 2026
Participants are required to write on the topic: “No Nation Can Develop Without Food Security. How Can Nigeria Deal With This Problem?”
The essay challenges students to examine Nigeria’s food security concerns and propose practical, sustainable solutions to improve food production, availability and access.
Prizes and Benefits
The five winners will receive educational grants to support their university education at an African university of their choice.
The prize structure is as follows:
- First prize: ₦15 million
- Second prize: ₦10.5 million
- Third prize: ₦7.5 million
- Fourth prize: ₦5 million
- Fifth prize: ₦3.5 million
The 2026 edition expands the award structure by introducing educational grants for fourth- and fifth-place winners, extending financial support to more students.
Eligibility Requirements
The competition is open to Nigerian senior secondary school students who meet the foundation’s application requirements.
Interested applicants must complete the online application form and submit a handwritten essay of no more than 750 words. Typed essays do not meet the stated submission requirements.
Applicants are also required to provide a recent passport photograph and a scanned copy of an accepted identification document, such as a birth certificate, National ID card or international passport.
How to Apply
Eligible students should visit the official UBA Foundation National Essay Competition page to complete their applications.
Applicants should follow these steps:
- Visit the official UBA Foundation National Essay Competition page.
- Review the essay topic, eligibility criteria and submission guidelines.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload a handwritten essay of no more than 750 words.
- Upload a recent passport photograph and a valid identification document.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
Students should ensure that all required documents are clear and that their submissions comply with the competition guidelines.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submitting applications is October 23, 2026. Interested students are encouraged to apply early to avoid missing the closing date.
About UBA Foundation
UBA Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of United Bank for Africa Plc. Its initiatives focus on education, environmental sustainability, economic empowerment and community development.
The National Essay Competition is one of the foundation’s flagship education programmes, designed to promote reading, develop students’ intellectual abilities and provide financial support for higher education.
Eligible Nigerian senior secondary school students can visit the official application page for further information and application details.
