The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Foundation, the philanthropic branch of UBA Plc, is currently accepting applications for the 2023 National Essay Competition (NEC) in Nigeria, aiming to support young students by providing financial assistance for tertiary education. Now in its 13th year, the NEC has extended its reach to multiple African countries where UBA operates, offering students across the continent access to educational sponsorships at universities within Africa.

The competition awards N5 million to the first-place winner for university tuition, with N3 million and N2.5 million for second and third places, respectively. Additionally, the top 12 essay writers will receive new laptops and other educational resources. This year, Senior Secondary School students in Nigeria are challenged to write on “Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) Surpass Human Intelligence? How Can Students Ensure AI Enhances Their Learning Through Research?” Participants must submit their handwritten essays digitally by October 20.

Bola Atta, Managing Director and CEO of UBA Foundation, expressed the foundation’s commitment to fostering educational opportunities, highlighting the convenience and inclusivity of digital submissions. Atta emphasized that this method aligns with UBA’s mission to use technology to enhance accessibility. Distinguished professors from renowned Nigerian universities will review the essays, selecting the top 12 finalists for additional recognition and prizes.

In November, finalists will participate in a final supervised test to determine the winners, with the announcement taking place at UBA’s headquarters in Lagos. Through projects like the National Essay Competition and the ‘Read Africa’ initiative, which has distributed numerous books across Africa, the UBA Foundation is dedicated to enhancing educational resources and opportunities for African youth.