AFRICA | A brilliant 13-year-old Nigerian boy, Ebunoluwa Seth Oluwatimilehin, has emerged as the overall winner of the 15th UBA Foundation National Essay Competition (NEC).
At just SS2 level, and representing Igando Community Senior High School in Lagos, he becomes the youngest winner since the competition began 15 years ago—and notably, the first male winner in more than eight years.
Ebunoluwa's Story and How She Did It
Ebunoluwa entered the competition like thousands of other students from across Nigeria, submitting his essay with hope, but never imagining he would break records.
The NEC, which draws entries from both urban and rural communities, is known for its rigorous standards and its mission to revive reading and writing culture among young Africans.
Despite being one of the youngest participants, Ebunoluwa’s essay stood out for its clarity, structure, creativity, and brilliant interpretation of this year’s topic. His work reflected intellectual maturity beyond his age, showing early signs of a scholar in the making.
The 2025 edition of the NEC attracted several thousand entries, each evaluated on critical thinking, originality, grammar, and ability to communicate impactful ideas. After multiple rounds of screening and assessments, Ebunoluwa emerged among the top 12 finalists, earning his place in the grand finale.
Celebrating his achievements, Ebunoluwa said the competition proved to him that hardwork truly pays.
“I am incredibly grateful and overwhelmed. This competition has shown me that passion and hard work truly pay off. It has been an amazing journey that has deepened my love for writing and expressing my ideas,” he said.
His words reflect a young mind already developing the intellectual discipline needed for future academic success.
Ebunoluwa clinched the grand prize, including a ₦10 million educational grant, payable towards his university education in any higher institution of his choice within Africa.
This scholarship award does not just celebrate a single essay; it invests in a future academic journey that has only just begun.
All 12 finalists also received brand-new laptops and other educational tools to support their academic growth.
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