The UBA Foundation 2025 National Essay Competition is one of the most anticipated academic contests for Nigerian students. Organized by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Foundation, the program aims to promote reading, critical thinking, and academic excellence among secondary school students across Nigeria.
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About the UBA Foundation 2025 National Essay Competition
The National Essay Competition, targeted at senior secondary students in Nigeria, is organised annually, as part of UBA Foundation’s education initiative which aims to promote the reading culture and encourage healthy and intellectual competition amongst secondary school students in Nigeria and across Africa.
Each year, students from all 36 states and the FCT submit essays on a selected topic. After rigorous screening, finalists are invited for an oral defense where the winners are announced.
The competition has produced thousands of winners who have benefitted from scholarships and educational support. The 2025 edition promises to be even more impactful with a total of ₦18 million in educational grants at stake.
Essay Topic
Nigeria is Characterised By Diverse Cultures, Ethnicities, and Religions. How Can Young Nigerians Deploy Diversity to Build a United Nation?
Requirements and Eligibility
To participate in the UBA Foundation 2025 National Essay Competition, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Must be a Nigerian Senior Secondary School Student.
- Complete application form.
- Upload a handwritten essay of 750 words max (not typed).
- Upload a recent passport photograph.
- Upload a scanned copy of Birth Certificate, National ID, or International Passport.
Benefits of UBA Foundation 2025 National Essay Competition
The competition offers more than recognition. Here are the benefits for winners:
₦18 million in educational grants for the top three winners, shared as follows:
- 1st Prize: ₦10 million university grant.
- 2nd Prize: ₦5 million university grant.
- 3rd Prize: ₦3 million university grant.
- National recognition and exposure through UBA Foundation’s platforms.
- Opportunity to develop writing, research, and presentation skills.
- Access to mentorship and networking opportunities with scholars and professionals.
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Selection Criteria and Process
Entries for the UBA Foundation 2025 National Essay Competition will be judged based on:
All entries will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges comprising professors from reputable Nigerian universities. From these, 12 finalists will be shortlisted for the next stage.
The finalists will then be invited to the UBA Head Office in Lagos to participate in a second and final round of supervised essay writing. The panel will assess these submissions and select the top three winners.
Documents Required
Applicants must prepare and submit the following:
- Handwritten essay (on the official topic provided).
- Passport-sized photograph.
- Copy of birth certificate or age verification document.
- Copy of school identity card or admission letter (if available).
Step-by-Step Application Guide
Follow these steps to apply for the UBA Foundation 2025 National Essay Competition:
To apply for UBA Foundation 2025 National Essay Competition [Click Here]
Submit your entry online before the deadline.
Wait for confirmation and shortlisting updates via email or SMS.
Application Deadline
The application closing entry of UBA Foundation 2025 National Essay Competition is October 17th, 2025








