Matilda Omonaiye/
The UBA Foundation, corporate social responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced over N22.5 million in educational grants for winners of the 2025 National Essay Competition (NEC), a landmark increase designed to inspire academic excellence and ease access to higher education.
In a major upward review, the Foundation revealed that the first-prize winner will now receive a N10 million university grant, up from N7.5 million last year, while the second and third-place winners will take home N7.5 million and N5 million, respectively – a 33% jump from the 2024 edition.
Additionally, the writers of the 12 best essays will receive brand-new laptops and other educational resources to support their academic pursuits.
The annual NEC, a flagship programme under UBA Foundation’s education initiative, aims to promote literacy, critical thinking, and intellectual competition among senior secondary school students across Nigeria.
This year’s essay topic, “Nigeria is characterised by diverse cultures, ethnicities, and religions. How can young Nigerians deploy diversity to build a united nation?” encourages students to think creatively about national unity and cultural integration.
Speaking on the initiative, Bola Atta, Managing Director/CEO of UBA Foundation, said the increase in grants demonstrated the bank’s unwavering commitment to empowering African youth.
“The deliberate and significant increase in the value of these educational grants underscores our dedication to investing in academic excellence and alleviating the financial burden of higher education for Nigerian students and their families,” Atta said.
“We are confident that this will further inspire a culture of academic achievement and critical thinking.”
She added that UBA Foundation remained “deeply committed to creating impactful opportunities for the youth, who are the future of our continent.”
To qualify, participants must be Nigerian senior secondary school students. They are required to submit scanned copies of handwritten essays (not exceeding 750 words), a recent passport photograph, and a copy of their birth certificate, National ID, or international passport via the Foundation’s online portal.
Entries close on Friday, October 17, 2025, and applications can be submitted through the official link: ubagroup.com/uba-foundation/national-essay-competition/ or by scanning the QR code displayed on the competition posters.
The UBA Foundation focuses on Education, Environment, and Economic Empowerment, with the NEC standing out as one of its most impactful youth development projects across the African continent.
0Related posts:
UBA Foundation Announces 2024 National Essay Competition with Double Grant Prize Increase
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia in Tears as Corruption Trial Begins
UBA Surpasses N1tn Market Capitalisation Mark Amidst Impressive Financials, Recognitions
Nigeria Leads in Shell Social Investment with $40million
WSICE 2022: Farotimi, Manuel, Jonathan, others to Lead Conversation on Citizenship, Nation as Soyinka Clocks 88
Empowering Tomorrow: The Bold Vision of the Nigerian Youth Academy