✍️ Quick Summary: The UBA Foundation National Essay Competition 2026 is open to Nigerian senior secondary school students. The topic is “No nation can develop without food security. How can Nigeria deal with this problem?” You must upload a handwritten essay of no more than 750 words, a passport photograph and proof of identity or age through the competition portal by Friday, 23 October 2026. First prize is a ₦15 million university grant.
The UBA Foundation National Essay Competition 2026 closes in eight days, and this year’s prizes are the biggest yet. UBA Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of United Bank for Africa, opened entries in September with grants for five winners. This guide covers the topic, the prizes, who can enter, what to upload, and how to write a stronger essay on food security.
UBA National Essay Competition 2026: Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Organiser | UBA Foundation (CSR arm of UBA Plc) |
| Who can enter | Nigerian senior secondary school students |
| Topic | No nation can develop without food security. How can Nigeria deal with this problem? |
| Essay format | Handwritten, maximum 750 words |
| Submission | Online, through the competition’s digital portal |
| Deadline | Friday, 23 October 2026 |
| First prize | ₦15 million university grant |
| Edition | 16th consecutive year |
The 2026 Essay Topic
UBA Foundation says students must examine one of Nigeria’s most pressing issues and propose practical and sustainable solutions to the country’s food security challenges. The full topic is: “No nation can develop without food security. How can Nigeria deal with this problem?”
The Foundation’s CEO, Bola Atta, said the topic asks students to confront how Nigeria feeds itself and secures its future.
Prizes: How Much Can You Win?
| Position | Educational grant |
|---|---|
| 1st | ₦15,000,000 |
| 2nd | ₦10,500,000 |
| 3rd | ₦7,500,000 |
| 4th | ₦5,000,000 |
| 5th | ₦3,500,000 |
UBA’s own announcement headlines a total of ₦41 million, while the five amounts above add up to ₦41.5 million, which is the figure some outlets use. Either way, the grants are for university education at any African university the winner chooses. This is the first year the fourth and fifth placed winners also receive grants. The first prize rose by 50 per cent from ₦10 million in 2025.
Who Can Enter?
Entrants must be Nigerian senior secondary school students. That means SS1 to SS3 students in Nigeria. Older editions of the competition described the target group the same way. One third-party listing says incomplete or duplicate entries will be disqualified, so submit one clean entry.
What You Need to Upload
- Your handwritten essay, not more than 750 words, scanned or photographed clearly
- A recent passport photograph
- A valid birth certificate, National ID card or international passport
- A completed online application form
One listing advises writing your full name on the essay page and naming each file clearly, for example “Your Name – Essay”. That is a sensible habit even if the instructions do not require it.
How to Apply Step by Step
- Open the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition page from UBA’s official website.
- Complete the online application form.
- Write your essay by hand on the 2026 topic, within 750 words.
- Scan or photograph every page clearly so the writing is readable.
- Upload your essay, passport photograph and identification document.
- Check the submission, then submit before 23 October 2026.
The 2024 edition used the portal address www.ubagroup.com/uba-foundation/national-essay-competition. The 2026 announcements we reviewed only refer to the “digital portal”, so use the link from UBA’s official announcement or the UBA Foundation pages on ubagroup.com. Avoid links shared in WhatsApp groups.
How the Competition Works After You Submit
UBA’s 2026 announcement does not describe the later stages. In 2024, the Foundation said 20 finalists wrote a further essay from which the top three were chosen. Earlier editions also described supervised essays for finalists. Treat that as how past editions worked, not a promise for 2026, and watch UBA’s official channels if you are shortlisted.
How to Write a Strong Food Security Essay (Practical Tips)
These are general writing tips, not official judging criteria.
- Answer both parts of the question. The topic states a claim and then asks a question. Explain why food security matters for development, then spend most of your words on how Nigeria can deal with the problem.
- Use a clear structure. Introduction, why food security matters, main causes of the problem, practical solutions, a short conclusion. With 750 words, give each part a short paragraph.
- Propose specific, realistic solutions. UBA says it wants practical and sustainable ideas. Think about farmers’ access to inputs and storage, reducing post-harvest losses, security for farming communities, support for young farmers, and better rural roads and markets.
- Use examples you know. A local farm, market or community can make your essay feel real. Only quote figures you can verify.
- Write neatly. Your essay is handwritten and scanned, so use clear handwriting, dark ink and good lighting when you photograph or scan it.
- Keep within 750 words. Count before you submit.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Typing the essay. The rules call for a handwritten essay.
- Waiting until the last day. Portals can be slow when many students submit at once.
- Submitting blurry scans or cropped pages.
- Uploading the wrong ID or an unclear document.
- Paying anyone to “register” you. We saw no entry fee in UBA’s announcement.
FAQ: UBA Foundation National Essay Competition 2026
What is the topic of the UBA National Essay Competition 2026?
The topic is “No nation can develop without food security. How can Nigeria deal with this problem?” Students are expected to examine Nigeria’s food security challenges and propose practical, sustainable solutions. Write about both why food security matters and what the country can do about it.
What is the deadline for the UBA essay competition 2026?
The deadline is Friday, 23 October 2026. Entries must be submitted through the competition’s digital portal on or before that date. Do not wait for the last day, because many students submit at the same time and uploads can fail or slow down.
How much is the first prize?
The first-place winner receives a ₦15 million university grant, up from ₦10 million in 2025. Second and third place receive ₦10.5 million and ₦7.5 million. The fourth and fifth placed winners receive ₦5 million and ₦3.5 million, which is new this year.
Who is eligible to enter?
The competition is for Nigerian senior secondary school students. You need to complete the online application form and upload a handwritten essay, a passport photograph and a birth certificate, National ID card or international passport. Check the portal for any extra instructions before submitting.
Can I type my essay?
No. The announcement says handwritten essays of no more than 750 words. You write by hand, then scan or photograph the pages and upload them. Make sure the pages are clear, in order and fully readable before you submit, and keep a copy of what you uploaded.
Is there an application fee?
We saw no entry fee in UBA’s official announcement or in the news reports we reviewed. Do not pay anyone who claims they can register you or guarantee a win. Use only links from UBA’s official website and report anyone asking for money.
Details can change. Confirm the latest instructions on UBA’s official website before you submit.
Last updated: 15 October 2026 · NaijaSabi Education Desk.
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