Thirteen-year-old Seth has earned national acclaim after emerging as the overall winner of the highly competitive UBA Foundation National Essay Competition, beating hundreds of bright young minds from across the country. His outstanding performance not only highlights the power of youth creativity and critical thinking but also underscores the Foundation’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of African leaders through literacy, education, and intellectual empowerment.
Ebunoluwa, a public school student in SS2, also emerged as the first male winner in over eight years, as female winners have repeatedly dominated the competition. He clinched the grand prize of N10m educational grant to be used for his future studies at any African higher institution of his choice.
According to a statement from the foundation, an elated Ebunoluwa expressed his joy, stating, “I am incredibly grateful and overwhelmed. This competition has shown me that passion and hard work truly pay off.
It has been an amazing journey that has deepened my love for writing and expressing my ideas.”
The second-place winner, Njoku-Kelechi Emerald of Christian International High School, Owerri, received a N7.5m educational grant, while the third-place prize of N5m educational grant was awarded to Bayero Fatima Auwal of Cornerstone Montessori Schools, Gudu, Abuja.
In addition to the monetary grants for the top three winners, all 12 finalists were awarded brand-new laptops and other educational materials to support their academic pursuits.
The 2025 edition received several thousand entries, with significant participation extending beyond major cities into rural communities across the country.
