UBA Foundation launches 2026 NEC with N41.5m prizes, expands to top 5 winners
UBA Foundation has announced the 2026 edition of its National Essay Competition (NEC), offering N41.5 million in educational grants to the top five winners. This marks the 16th consecutive year of the competition, which now includes prizes for fourth and fifth place for the first time. The first-place winner receives N15 million (a 50% increase from 2025's N10 million), second gets N10.5 million, third N7.5 million, fourth N5 million, and fifth N3.5 million—all usable at any African university.
This year's topic challenges students to address Nigeria's food security crisis: "No nation can develop without food security. How can Nigeria deal with this problem?" Eligible Nigerian senior secondary school students must submit handwritten essays of 750 words or less via the digital portal by Friday, October 23, 2026, along with a passport photo and valid ID (birth certificate, National ID, or international passport).
The competition supports UBA Foundation's commitment to youth development, complementing its Read Africa programme. As MD/CEO Bola Atta states, it provides "a vital platform for secondary school students to express ideas and showcase intellectual prowess" while tackling national challenges.
Will you encourage eligible students in your network to participate, or are you a student considering how to approach this year's food security topic for your chance at university funding?