The UBA Foundation and United Bank for Africa (UBA) Sierra Leone have formalized a partnership with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) to launch the 2025/2026 National Essay Competition.

The initiative, themed “Unlocking Young Talent,” is designed to empower senior secondary school pupils across Sierra Leone by fostering literacy, critical thinking, and academic excellence.

The competition aims to provide a platform for students to showcase their writing skills while competing for significant educational rewards. The organizers have announced a comprehensive prize package for top performers, including:

  • Scholarship Grants & Cash Prizes for winners to support further education.
  • UBA Laptops for the top 12 finalists.
  • Mentorship & Learning Materials to assist participants in their academic journeys.

The program will also feature modern competitive elements, such as video pitches, leading up to a final event where the winners will be announced.

The partnership marks a collaborative effort between the private sector and government bodies to improve educational outcomes nationwide. By involving the MBSSE, the competition ensures a broad reach into senior secondary schools in every region of the country.

The formal launch of the competition is scheduled for March 13, 2026. Prospective participants are encouraged to follow official social media channels for specific details on eligibility and submission guidelines.