UBA Foundation National Essay Competition 2026 for Nigerian Secondary School Students

Application Deadline: October 23, 2026

Applications are currently open for the 2026 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition, an annual initiative that gives senior secondary school students in Nigeria the opportunity to demonstrate their writing, research and critical-thinking abilities.

Organised by the UBA Foundation, the competition forms part of its commitment to supporting education and encouraging a strong reading and learning culture among young people in Nigeria and across Africa.

This year's competition focuses on an important national development issue and challenges students to think critically about food security in Nigeria.

2026 Essay Topic

Participants are required to write on:

“No Nation Can Develop Without Food Security. How Can Nigeria Deal With This Problem?”

Students should develop clear arguments and practical suggestions on how Nigeria can address food insecurity and improve the availability and accessibility of food.

Competition Stages

The competition will take place in two main stages:

Stage 1 – Call for Entries:
Twenty of the best essays will be selected from all eligible submissions.

Stage 2 – Final Physical Test:
The shortlisted candidates will participate in a final physical test, from which five winners will emerge.

Eligibility and Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a Nigerian senior secondary school student.
• Complete the online application form.
• Submit a handwritten essay of not more than 750 words. Typed essays will not be accepted.
• Upload a recent passport photograph.
• Upload a scanned copy of a Birth Certificate, National ID or International Passport.

UBA Foundation Essay Competition Prizes

The five finalists will receive the following university grants:

• First Place: ₦15 million
• Second Place: ₦10.5 million
• Third Place: ₦7.5 million
• Fourth Place: ₦5 million
• Fifth Place: ₦3.5 million

The first-place prize has been increased to ₦15 million, compared with ₦10 million awarded in the 2025 edition.

How to Apply

Eligible students interested in participating should prepare their handwritten essays and required documents before completing the online application.

Application Deadline: October 23, 2026

👉 Apply for the 2026 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition

Applicants are encouraged to submit their entries before the deadline and carefully follow the application instructions provided on the official UBA Foundation website.