Five Nigerian students to receive education grants
The UBA Foundation has opened applications for its 2026 National Essay Competition, giving Nigerian senior secondary school students an opportunity to win educational grants worth a total of ₦41.5 million.
The competition, which is now in its 16th year, is aimed at encouraging young Nigerians to develop their writing skills, creativity and critical thinking.
First place gets ₦15 million
The winner of this year’s competition will receive ₦15 million to support university education at an African university of their choice.
The second and third place winners will receive ₦10.5 million and ₦7.5 million respectively. For the first time, fourth and fifth place winners will also receive grants of ₦5 million and ₦3.5 million.
Students to write on food security
This year’s essay focuses on Nigeria’s food security challenge. Participants are expected to write on the topic:
“No nation can develop without food security. How can Nigeria deal with this problem?”
The topic gives students an opportunity to share their ideas on how Nigeria can improve food production and ensure that people have reliable access to food.
Who can apply?
The competition is open to Nigerian senior secondary school students.
Applicants are required to submit a handwritten essay of not more than 750 words. They must also provide a recent passport photograph and a valid birth certificate, National Identity Card or international passport.
Application deadline
Interested students have until Friday, 23 October 2026 to submit their entries through the UBA Foundation’s online application portal.
The competition provides students with more than a writing challenge. For the winners, it could also provide financial support towards their university education.
