Applications are now open for the 2026 UBA Foundation’s National Essay Competition, an annual competition for senior secondary school students across Nigeria.
The competition gives Nigerian students an opportunity to showcase their writing skills and compete for educational grants worth up to ₦40 million.
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About UBA National Essay Competition
The UBA Foundation Essay Competition forms part of UBA Foundation’s education initiative.
The initiative promotes reading culture and encourages healthy intellectual competition among secondary school students in Nigeria and across Africa.
The UBA National Essay Competition is open to eligible Nigerian senior secondary school students.
Essay Topic
Applicants must write on the following topic:
No Nation Can Develop Without Food Security. How Can Nigeria Deal With This Problem?
- 1st Stage: Call for entries – 20 best essays to be selected
- 2nd Stage: Final physical test – 5 winners
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Who Can Apply?
The UBA Foundation’s National Essay Competition is open to:
- Nigerian Senior Secondary School Students
Applicants must meet the stated requirements before submitting their entries.
Application Requirements
Applicants must provide:
- Nigerian Senior Secondary School Students
- Complete contact details
- Scanned copy of your handwritten essay of 750 words max (not typed)
- Recent passport photograph
- Scanned copy of Birth Certificate or National ID or International Passport
Students applying for the UBA Foundation Essay Competition should ensure all documents are clear and readable.
Essay Requirements
Your essay must:
- Address the given topic
- Be handwritten
- Contain no more than 750 words
- Include your full name
- Be scanned clearly before uploading
The UBA National Essay Competition requires applicants to write their full name on the handwritten essay before submission.
Educational Grants
The five winners will receive the following educational grants:
- 1st Prize – ₦15 million
- 2nd Prize – ₦10 million
- 3rd Prize – ₦7.5 million
- 4th Prize – ₦5 million
- 5th Prize – ₦3.5 million
The first-place winner of the UBA Foundation Essay Competition will receive ₦15 million.
Selection Process
The UBA Foundation’s National Essay Competition has two stages.
All entries will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges comprising professors from reputable Nigerian universities. From the entries received, 20 finalists will be shortlisted for the next stage.
The 20 finalists will participate in a final physical test at the UBA Head Office, Lagos. The top five winners will be selected based on the quality of their essays.
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Important Things to Note
Applicants should take note of the following:
- All incomplete entries will be disqualified.
- Duplicate entries will be disqualified.
- Write your full name on your handwritten essay before uploading.
- Your essay must not exceed 750 words.
- The essay must be handwritten, not typed.
- Check all documents before submitting your application.
Tips for Applicants
Students applying for the National Essay Competition for Nigerian Students should:
- Understand the essay topic.
- Give practical solutions to food security challenges.
- Organize your points clearly.
- Keep the essay within 750 words.
- Check spelling and grammar.
- Write neatly.
- Submit an original essay.
- Check all documents before submission.
A well-organized essay gives you a better opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and writing ability.
How to Apply for UBA Foundation’s National Essay Competition
Follow these steps:
- Go to Ubagroup.com
- Read the essay topic carefully.
- Review your information.
- Submit your application before October 23, 2026.
The UBA Foundation Essay Competition application should contain accurate and complete information.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the UBA Foundation’s National Essay Competition 2026 is October 23, 2026.
How to Name Your Attachments
The title of each attachment should contain the applicant’s name and the name of the document.
For example:
- John Doe – Passport Photograph
- John Doe – Birth Certificate
- John Doe – Essay
Follow this format when submitting your UBA National Essay Competition application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UBA Foundation’s National Essay Competition?
The UBA Foundation’s National Essay Competition is an annual essay competition for Nigerian senior secondary school students.
Who is eligible for the UBA National Essay Competition?
The competition is open to Nigerian Senior Secondary School Students.
What is the 2026 essay topic?
“No Nation Can Develop Without Food Security. How Can Nigeria Deal With This Problem?”
How many words should the essay contain?
The handwritten essay must not exceed 750 words.
Should the essay be handwritten?
Yes. Applicants must submit a scanned copy of their handwritten essay.
How many finalists will be selected?
Twenty finalists will be selected from the entries received.
How many winners will be selected?
Five winners will be selected after the final physical test.
Where will the final physical test take place?
The final physical test will take place at the UBA Head Office in Lagos.
What is the first prize?
The first-place winner will receive an educational grant of ₦15 million.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline for the UBA Foundation Essay Competition 2026 is October 23, 2026.
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