The 2026 UBA National Essay Competition (NEC) is an opportunity for Nigerian senior secondary school students to showcase their writing, research and critical-thinking skills while competing for substantial educational grants.
Organised by the UBA Foundation, the competition encourages young Nigerians to develop their ability to research important national issues and present practical solutions through writing.
The 2026 edition is the 16th consecutive edition of the National Essay Competition.
2026 UBA Essay Competition Topic
The essay topic for the 2026 competition is:
“No nation can develop without food security. How can Nigeria deal with this problem?”
Students are expected to examine the challenges affecting food security in Nigeria and suggest practical and sustainable solutions.
Participants may discuss issues including agricultural production, modern farming techniques, food storage, transportation, affordability, government policies, climate-related challenges and youth participation in agriculture.
UBA National Essay Competition Prizes
The 2026 competition offers educational grants to the five winners.
The prizes are:
– First Prize: ₦15 million university grant
– Second Prize: ₦10.5 million university grant
– Third Prize: ₦7.5 million university grant
– Fourth Prize: ₦5 million university grant
– Fifth Prize: ₦3.5 million university grant
The educational grants are intended to support the winners’ university education at an African university of their choice.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to Nigerian senior secondary school students who meet the eligibility and application requirements.
Applicants should carefully follow the submission requirements and ensure that all requested documents are provided before submitting their entries.
Application Requirements
Applicants are expected to submit the following:
– A completed application form
– A handwritten essay of not more than 750 words
– A recent passport photograph
– A scanned copy of a valid birth certificate, National ID card or international passport
The essay must be handwritten and should address the official competition topic directly.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the 2026 UBA National Essay Competition is October 23, 2026.
Students should prepare their essays and supporting documents early to avoid last-minute problems.
How to Write a Strong UBA Essay
Students participating in the competition should demonstrate a clear understanding of the topic and provide practical ideas.
A strong essay should:
1. Begin with an engaging introduction.
2. Clearly explain Nigeria’s food security challenges.
3. Discuss the causes of the problem.
4. Present realistic and practical solutions.
5. Use relevant examples where appropriate.
6. Maintain a clear and logical structure.
7. Stay within the 750-word limit.
8. Be written neatly and legibly.
9. Contain original ideas.
10. End with a strong conclusion.
Students should also proofread their essays carefully before submitting them.
Selection Process
The competition involves several stages of assessment. The best submissions are shortlisted, with 20 students selected for the next stage.
The shortlisted candidates proceed to a final physical test, after which five winners are selected to receive the educational grants.
Why Students Should Participate
The UBA National Essay Competition offers more than an opportunity to win an educational grant. It allows students to develop valuable skills in research, writing, communication, critical thinking and problem-solving.
The competition also gives young Nigerians an opportunity to think about important national challenges and propose ideas that could contribute to Nigeria’s development.
Final Thoughts
(Apply Now) The 2026 UBA National Essay Competition presents Nigerian senior secondary school students with an opportunity to demonstrate their academic and creative abilities while competing for significant educational support.
With this year’s topic focusing on food security, students should develop thoughtful and practical solutions to the challenges facing Nigeria’s food system.
Eligible students should begin preparing their handwritten essays and supporting documents early and ensure that their submissions meet all stated requirements before the October 23, 2026 deadline.