Khaira Ojima Bala: Abuja Muslim Student Wins N15m UBA Essay Prize
Fifteen-year-old Khaira Ojima Bala emerged first among more than 15,000 entries in the 16th UBA Foundation National Essay Competition.
By Abdullahi Yusuf
A 15-year-old Muslim student from Abuja, Khaira Ojima Bala, has won the 16th UBA Foundation National Essay Competition, receiving a N15 million educational grant towards her university education.
Bala, a student of Metro International School, Abuja, emerged overall winner at the competition’s grand finale held on November 10 at UBA House, Marina, Lagos, after competing against thousands of senior secondary school students from across Nigeria.
Her winning entry addressed food security under the theme: “No nation can develop without food security. How can Nigeria deal with this problem?”
The competition attracted more than 15,000 entries, from which 20 finalists were selected for the final stage. The finalists also attended a one-day writing boot camp with the judges.
Bala dedicated her award to her parents, acknowledging their sacrifices towards her education.
“I am so happy right now. My parents have sacrificed so much for my education, and this award belongs to them as much as it belongs to me,” she said.
She also thanked the UBA Foundation for providing young people with a platform to express their ideas and demonstrate their abilities.
The other four top positions were also secured by female students. Unwanabasi Otobon Udom of Topfaith International Secondary School came second, receiving N10 million, while Flourish Chibunumoma Ndamzi of University of Port Harcourt Women Association International Secondary School placed third with N7.5 million.
God’sfavour Ezekiel Udo of Federal Government Girls College, Ikot Obio Itong, finished fourth with N5 million, while Uchenna Olivia Anyanwu of Coral Impacts International School, Abuja, came fifth, receiving N3.5 million.
The five winners shared a total of N41 million in educational grants, an 82 per cent increase from the N22.5 million awarded in the previous edition. The increase followed the expansion of the number of award recipients from three to five and a rise in the value of the grants.
All 20 finalists also received laptops to support their academic work and research, alongside N20,000 credited to their UBA accounts.
Speaking at the ceremony, UBA Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, congratulated the finalists and described their selection from more than 15,000 entries as evidence of their hard work, curiosity and determination.
He said the increased grants were intended to ease the financial burden of university education amid rising costs, adding that the Foundation was considering writing workshops for participating schools to strengthen students’ writing skills, confidence and critical thinking.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, said the organisation had invested more than N3 billion in the competition over its 16 editions, describing education as a critical investment in Africa’s future.
Launched in Nigeria in 2011, the National Essay Competition has since expanded to other African countries where UBA operates. It is part of the Foundation’s broader programmes in education, healthcare, economic empowerment and environmental sustainability.
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