UBA Foundation Announce Winners of National Essay Competition

Nume Ekeghe

A 15-year-old student from Fountain Heights Secondary School in Lagos, Onaro Adaeze, has emerged as the winner of the 2023 United Bank for Africa (UBA) Foundation, National Essay Competition (NEC).

Onaro won a grand prize of N5 million in scholarship from over 12,000 entries, which was narrowed down to 12 finalists who were awarded various prize categories at the finale in Lagos recently.  

Also, AbdulHameed Khadija of Sweet Haven High School, Kano, secured the first runner-up position, claiming a scholarship valued at N3 million. Chukwuma-Okoh Naomi of Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, was recognised as the second runner-up, earning a scholarship worth N2.5 million.

Speaking at the prize presentation, the Chief Executive Officer of UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, revealed that participants were tasked with exploring the realm of artificial intelligence and its potential augmentation of their learning abilities through research-driven approaches.

Atta said: “The caliber of entries received this year was outstanding. The winners, in particular, displayed exceptional qualities, exhibiting outstanding talent and skill. There has been a consistent year-on-year enhancement in the submissions for the national essay competition.”

Expressing the competition’s objective, United Bank for Africa, Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba highlighted its aim to hone the critical thinking prowess of African youth and groom them for leadership roles across the continent.

He said, “The UBA National Essay Competition centers on nurturing African youth. It seeks to bolster their critical thinking and reading capabilities, preparing them for leadership roles within the continent. It encourages them to research and articulate topics relevant to the African landscape.”