16-year-old wins 14th UBA Foundation national essay competition

The UBA Foundation has announced the winners of the 14th edition of its annual national essay competition (NEC).

The grand finale event, held on Tuesday at UBA House, showcased the brightest senior secondary school students across Nigeria.

Tehilah Oluchukwu Isimah, a 16-year-old student of Everest Heights Int’l Academy, Gwagwlada, Abuja, clinched the first position at this year’s competition.

Isimah won an educational grant worth N7.5 million to study in any African university of her choice.

She expressed gratitude to UBA foundation, adding that she “prayed and worked so hard” to win the competition.

“Even though I am a science student, I have always loved writing. I am very glad this dream of mine came through. UBA Foundation, this is answered prayers for me, I will forever be grateful,” she said.

Isimah’s mother who was also at the event said:  “I can’t believe this, this is really happening, thank you UBA Foundation, this is indeed a dream come through for us, I am so happy.”

Obinna-Chukwu Chikamara Christabel from Regina Pacis College, Abuja, secured second place, receiving a N5 million grant, while Essien Greatness Emediong of the Nigerian Christian Institute, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, took third place with a N3.5 million grant.

The 20 finalists, who excelled in the regional tests, were awarded brand new laptops and other valuable resources to support their studies as they prepare for tertiary education.

Oliver Alawuba, managing director of UBA Group, congratulated all the winners, emphasising the bank’s goal to promote education across the Africa.

“At the UBA Foundation, education has always been our cornerstone. We believe that knowledge is the most powerful catalyst for transformative change,” Alawuba said.

“By investing in education, we are not just teaching – we are empowering individuals to become architects of their own futures and catalysts for broader societal progress.”

Bola Atta, managing director of UBA Foundation, said: “We are thrilled to see young minds rise to the challenge of addressing key issues facing our society.”

“This year’s entries were not only numerous but also of exceptional quality, reflecting the brilliance and creativity of Africa’s next generation,” she added.

This year’s NEC recorded over 10,000 entries, marking an unprecedented milestone in the history of the competition.

Participants were tasked with the essay topic, “The Impact of Carbon Emissions on Climate Change in Nigeria: Challenges and Solutions,” encouraging them to showcase critical thinking and propose innovative approaches to address one of the world’s most pressing issues.