UBA Rolls Out 5th National Essay Contest
In a continued effort to promote academic excellence, critical thinking, and social awareness among young people, the UBA Foundation, in partnership with UBA Sierra Leone, has officially launched the 2025/2026 edition of its National Essay Competition. The initiative, now in its fifth edition, is steadily becoming one of the country’s most impactful educational platforms for secondary school pupils.
The launch event, held on March 13, 2026, at the conference hall of New Brookfield’s Hotel in Freetown, brought together a wide range of stakeholders from across the education sector. Attendees included officials from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), representatives from the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ), school administrators, students, and members of the media. The gathering underscored the growing importance of collaborative efforts in shaping the future of education in Sierra Leone.
Officially launching the competition, the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Honorable Conrad Sackey, unveiled this year’s essay topic: “Gender-Based Violence in Schools: Causes, Consequences and Solutions.” He emphasized that the theme was carefully selected to encourage students to engage critically with pressing societal issues while fostering awareness and inspiring positive change. According to the Minister, the topic provides a meaningful opportunity for young people to contribute to national dialogue on building safer and more inclusive learning environments.
He further commended UBA for its unwavering commitment to advancing education in Sierra Leone, noting that initiatives like the essay competition go beyond financial support by actively shaping the intellectual and moral development of the nation’s youth.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the bank’s leadership, the Chief Operating Officer of UBA Sierra Leone, Chiedu Ngene, conveyed goodwill messages from the Managing Director/CEO, Mohamed Alhajie Samoura, as well as the CEO of the UBA Foundation, Bola Atta. He also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education for its role in selecting this year’s theme, and to ILRAJ for its continued partnership and coordination.
Ngene highlighted the steady growth and success of the competition since its inception, revealing that between 2020 and 2023, more than 1,500 essays were submitted by students from over 500 schools nationwide. Beyond these impressive figures, he noted the lasting impact the competition has had on participants, with several past winners progressing to higher education and one even currently serving as a Legal Officer at the bank.
Speaking on behalf of ILRAJ, Board Member Martin Michael described the organization as an independent and nonpartisan body dedicated to promoting human rights and the rule of law in Sierra Leone. He praised UBA for sustaining and expanding the initiative, while also acknowledging the Ministry’s involvement in enhancing the competition’s credibility and reach. Michael added that the 2025/2026 edition aims to extend its impact to all 16 districts across the country through robust school engagement and media outreach.
The UBA National Essay Competition forms part of the UBA Foundation’s broader education initiative across Africa, designed to cultivate a culture of reading, research, and intellectual expression among young people. It serves as a platform for students to not only showcase their academic abilities but also develop confidence and a sense of civic responsibility.
Also speaking at the event, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at UBA Sierra Leone, Sallieu Sesay, described the competition as more than just an academic exercise. He emphasized that it has evolved into a powerful platform that nurtures creativity, encourages innovation, and promotes academic excellence among Sierra Leone’s youth.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from the Project Coordinator at ILRAJ, Fatima Forna, who expressed gratitude to the UBA Foundation, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, and all partners for their continued support in making the initiative a success.
As the competition opens for entries, expectations are high that this year’s edition will not only attract widespread participation but also inspire meaningful conversations and solutions around critical issues affecting students nationwide.
