Khaira Ojima Bala, a 15-year-old student from Metro International School in Kubwa, Abuja, has won first place in the 2026 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition, earning a N15 million university scholarship along with a laptop, trophy, and certificate of merit.
The grand finale of the 16th UBA Foundation National Essay Competition was held at UBA House in Marina, Lagos, on November 11, 2026. Four additional finalists also received substantial educational grants and recognition for their outstanding essay submissions.
Second place was awarded to Unwanabasi Otobong Udom, who received a N10 million scholarship. Flourish Chibunumona Ndamzi claimed third place with a N7.5 million scholarship, while God'sfavour Ezekiel Udo secured fourth place with a N5 million grant. Uchenna Olivia Anyanwu rounded out the top five finalists, receiving a N3.5 million scholarship. Combined, the five winners received N40.5 million in educational grants.
Beyond the top five placements, all 20 finalists in the competition received laptops to support their academic endeavors, along with N20,000 credited to each finalist's UBA account. This comprehensive support demonstrates the UBA Foundation's commitment to nurturing academic excellence and supporting educational development among Nigerian students.
The UBA Foundation's annual National Essay Competition serves as a platform for young Nigerian students to showcase their writing skills and critical thinking abilities. The competition attracts talented writers from across the country, with participants tackling essays on diverse and meaningful topics relevant to society.
Bala's victory represents a significant achievement for the 15-year-old student from the Federal Capital Territory. Her winning essay demonstrated exceptional insight, clarity of thought, and compelling written expression that impressed the panel of judges evaluating entries across multiple categories and difficulty levels.
The scholarship awards aim to ease the financial burden of higher education while recognizing and rewarding academic merit and intellectual achievement. For Bala and her fellow finalists, the scholarships represent both validation of their academic excellence and tangible support for their future educational pursuits.