The UBA National essay competition (or UBA NEC) is an essay based competition held annually by the pan-African bank UBA for Nigerian secondary school students. The competition encourages literacy, critical thinking, and healthy intellectual competition. Each year students are given a topical essay prompt and asked to submit handwritten essays of a specified word limit. Winners are to receive an educational grant of up to 10 million Nigerian Naira. Through NEC, UBA Foundation aims to nurture young intellectuals, promote a culture of reading and writing, and support youth development through access to higher education.
UBA
The United Bank for Africa – UBA is a major pan-African financial services group headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.
Over the decades it has grown beyond banking to become one of Africa’s largest financial institutions, with operations across many countries and as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandate, UBA established the UBA Foundation. The UBA foundation channels the bank’s efforts into educational initiatives, youth empowerment, environmental projects and community development across Africa.
Competition prize
Winners of the competition will recieve an educational grant that will go to any African university of their choosing
- Winner: 10 million naira educational grant to any African UniversityÂ
- 1st Runner up: 7.5 million niaraÂ
- 2nd Runner up: 5 million naira
Eligibility
The competition is open to only those who meet the following conditions:
- Nigerian national
- Senior secondary school student
How to apply
Application is to be done online via the form provided in their website (linked below).
Submission requirements
- 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.
Application deadline
The 2025 deadline has passed.
Apply next year at the UBA National essay competition official website.
