16-year-old FUTA student beats 2000 contestants to emerge winner of national essay competition, earns ₦1million cash prize.

16-year-old, Emmanuel Jesuferanmi Ojedele, a 200-level student of Architecture at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has emerged as the winner of the 2024 edition of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition.

Emmanuel triumphed over 2,000 contestants from across the nation to claim the top prize. At the grand finale, Emmanuel was awarded ₦1 million in cash, a brand-new laptop, and a golden plaque.

The second position went to Miracle Okoli, a 200-level Law student at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, who received ₦750,000, a laptop, and a plaque. Okogbe Mary, a 19-year-old, second-year Electrical Engineering student at Igbinedion University, Okada, came third, taking home ₦500,000, a laptop, and a plaque.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, congratulated all participants, especially the top 10 finalists and the overall winner.

Represented by the General Manager of Corporate Communications, Esueme Dan-Kikile, Ogbe described the essay competition as a signature event, comparable to the board’s Science Quiz Competition for High School students.

According to Ogbe, the competition is one of NCDMB’s efforts to elevate education standards in Nigeria. “The annual national undergraduates’ essay competition is one of NCDMB’s multiple interventions to lift the standard of education in Nigeria,” the said.

”It aims to promote proficiency in writing, awareness of local content and its benefits to the national economy, and to encourage citizen engagement from the undergraduate level,” he added.

The Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Oladiji, praised Emmanuel’s remarkable achievement, describing him as a “worthy ambassador” of the institution. “This is a wonderful feat, and I heartily congratulate Emmanuel Ojedele for representing our University and for his achievement in the national competition,” She said.

” He has joined the growing number of our undergraduate students who have become pace-setters in national and international competitions. He is a pride to FUTA,” Professor Adenike added.