A 13-year-old Senior Secondary School 2 student of Igando Community Senior High School, Lagos, Seth Ebunoluwa, has won the 2025 United Bank for Africa (UBA) National Essay Competition, becoming the first male student to take the top prize in eight years.
Ebunoluwa won a N10 million educational grant after emerging first from more than 120,000 entries submitted from across the country.
Emerald Njoku-Kelechi, a 15-year-old student of Christian International High School in Imo State, placed second and received a N7.5 million educational grant.
Fatima Auwa Bayer of Cornerstone Montessori School, Abuja, placed third and received N5 million.
Speaking at the finale of the 15th edition of the competition, UBA group managing director Oliver Alawuba restated the bank’s commitment to investment in education.
He said the bank’s focus on youth development is driven by its belief that the continent’s future depends on its young population.
Mr Alawuba said the increase of the first-place grant to N10 million reflects the bank’s long-term plan for human capital development.
He said investment in knowledge would help position the continent for global relevance.
Chief executive of the UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, said the competition, which began in Nigeria 15 years ago, now holds in Ghana and Senegal.
She said the foundation plans to expand the programme to more African countries, with a target of reaching at least 10 to 15 countries by 2026.
All 12 finalists received laptops and other learning materials.
The 2025 edition recorded increased participation from rural and urban areas.
Alawuba also commended the essays submitted by the finalists, saying the competition supports the bank’s goal of promoting reading, writing and diversity.
Atta said the foundation will continue to support initiatives that promote literacy, education and empowerment across the continent.
UBA Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of the UBA Group.
It focuses on programmes in education, environment, economic empowerment and special projects.
