UBA Foundation announces essay competition in Nigeria with ₦41.5 million in grants
The UBA Foundation in Nigeria has announced the launch of the 2026 National Essay Competition. Five winners will receive a total of 41.5 million Nigerian naira in educational grants for studying at African universities.
The competition is being held for the 16th consecutive year. It is intended for senior secondary school students in Nigeria and aims to give them an opportunity to demonstrate creativity, writing skills and critical thinking, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
Distribution of educational grants
The competition winner will receive a grant of 15 million naira. This is 50% more than the 10 million naira allocated for first place in 2025. Participants who take second and third places will receive 10.5 million and 7.5 million naira respectively.
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This year, the foundation introduced grants for fourth and fifth places for the first time. Their recipients will receive 5 million and 3.5 million naira respectively. The funds are intended for education at an African university chosen by the winners.
Submission requirements
Students must submit a handwritten essay of up to 750 words through a digital portal by Friday, October 23, 2026. To participate, they need to complete an online application, upload a photograph, the handwritten work and a valid document: a birth certificate, national identity card or international passport.
UBA Foundation CEO Bola Atta said the competition is intended to help schoolchildren express their own ideas and demonstrate their intellectual abilities. According to her, this year's competition topic invites participants to consider how to provide the country with food and secure its future.
