Lagos witnessed a remarkable moment on Tuesday when 13-year-old Ebunoluwa Seth Oluwatimilehin from Igando Community Senior High School emerged as the overall winner of the 15th UBA Foundation National Essay Competition. His victory made him the youngest champion in the history of the competition and the first male winner in more than eight years, breaking a long streak of female dominance. He secured the grand prize of a N10 million educational grant, which he can use for his future studies at any higher institution in Africa.
Ebunoluwa, an SS2 public school student, expressed deep excitement and gratitude. He said the experience proved that passion and hard work truly produce results, and he shared how the journey strengthened his love for writing and expressing his thoughts.
The competition also celebrated other outstanding young writers. Njoku-Kelechi Emerald from Christian International High School, Owerri, took second place and earned a N7.5 million educational grant. Bayero Fatima Auwal from Cornerstone Montessori Schools, Gudu, Abuja, claimed third place with a N5 million grant.
All 12 finalists received brand-new laptops and educational materials to support their academic growth, marking a generous investment in their future.
The 2025 edition recorded thousands of entries from across Nigeria, with a notable increase in participation from rural communities, showing how far the competition’s influence has spread.
UBA’s Group Managing Director and CEO, Oliver Alawuba, praised the Foundation’s 15-year commitment to encouraging young people. He highlighted how the competition continues to revive the culture of reading and writing among students, inspiring a new generation to embrace creativity and academic excellence.
