The UBA Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has officially launched the 2024 edition of its annual National Essay Competition (NEC), calling for entries from senior secondary school students across Nigeria. Now in its 14th year, the competition is part of the Foundation’s broader commitment to promoting literacy and intellectual development among young Africans.
This year’s essay topic is “Discuss the Impact of Carbon Emissions on Climate in Nigeria: Challenges and Solutions”, challenging students to explore one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the nation. The UBA Foundation announced that students must research the topic thoroughly, write their essays by hand, and upload scanned versions to the competition’s digital portal by November 8, 2024.
In a statement, UBA Foundation highlighted that the competition, which spans several stages, will reward intellectual excellence. The top 75 entries, selected by a panel of esteemed English professors, will receive N75,000 each. These students will then participate in regional competitions in Abuja, Enugu, Lagos, and Port Harcourt, where they will be narrowed down to 20 finalists. In the final stage, the 20 finalists will write another essay, with the top three being crowned as winners.
Speaking ahead of this year’s competition, Bola Atta, CEO of UBA Foundation, emphasized the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to supporting education, even in the face of global economic challenges. Atta announced a significant increase in prize money, with the first-place winner receiving N7.5 million, the second-place receiving N5 million, and the third-place awarded N3.5 million.
“We understand the financial pressures that families and parents are facing, especially with the current economic situation in Nigeria. By raising the first-place prize to N7.5 million, we are making a bold statement about our dedication to African education. We want to ensure that outstanding students can pursue their academic dreams without being held back by financial constraints,” Atta said.
The increased prize pool reflects UBA Foundation’s recognition of the rising costs of education and its determination to empower young Africans to excel academically. Through initiatives like the National Essay Competition, the Foundation continues to invest in the continent’s future leaders, helping them to realize their potential and contribute to Africa’s development.
Students interested in participating are encouraged to submit their entries before the deadline to stand a chance of winning life-changing educational grants.
