By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
A 16-year-old, 200-level Medicine and Surgery student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Miss Akande Oyinkansola Josephine, has emerged winner of the 2025 Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition.
The grand finale was held on Friday at the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where the young scholar claimed the top prize after a rigorous nationwide evaluation of entries submitted by undergraduates across the country.
Oyinkansola received a cash prize of N1 million, a brand-new laptop, and a commemorative plaque. The Osun State indigene, known for her passion for service and compassion for others, aspires to become a medical doctor dedicated to saving lives and contributing to Nigeria’s development. She also enjoys cooking and caregiving.
The second-place award went to 23-year-old Sonuga Sultan Opeyemi, a 200-level medical student at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). The Ogun State-born scholar, who hopes to specialize in cardiothoracic surgery and has demonstrated strong research and academic writing skills, received N700,000, a laptop, and a plaque.
Aguigwe Precious Amarachi, a 19-year-old Computer Science student at the University of Uyo, came third. The Ebonyi State indigene, with interests in web development, content creation, music, podcasting, and personal development, walked away with N500,000 for her efforts.
Speaking at the award ceremony, the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe—represented by Mr. Teddy Bai, Head of Corporate Communications—praised the essay competition as a key capacity-building initiative that has consistently nurtured young Nigerian intellectuals for nine years.
“It awakens local content consciousness among undergraduates and promotes intellectual development,” Ogbe said. He emphasized that the competition supports national goals around economic growth, job creation, industrialization, and security.
Ogbe added that the programme helps students develop communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills needed in the digital economy. He noted that the Board’s 10-Year Strategic Roadmap has reached 56 percent implementation and highlighted the newly introduced “Back to the Creek Initiative” aimed at community support, talent discovery, and youth empowerment.
He described the judging process as “fair, transparent, and professionally executed,” commending the assessors for maintaining high standards.
The theme for this year’s competition, “Sustaining Local Content Policies in the Transitioning Oil and Gas Industry,” was widely acknowledged as timely, especially amid global conversations on energy transition.
Chairman of the ceremony and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma, commended NCDMB for its consistency in organizing the competition for nearly a decade. He, however, recommended that the remaining seven finalists receive financial incentives to encourage wider participation in future editions.
Prof. Ayakoroma also noted the absence of Bayelsa and Rivers State students in the top three and called for increased sensitization in the host communities.
Earlier, NCDMB consultant, Mr. Eyinimi Omorozi, applauded the top 10 finalists for their discipline and dedication. He also commended the Board for sustaining the program’s reputation for academic excellence.
The event drew students, academics, community leaders, dignitaries, and media stakeholders, and concluded with commendations for all participants and a renewed commitment by NCDMB to support and develop Nigeria’s next generation of innovators.
