From Amgbare Prince, Yenagoa
A 16-year-old 200-level Medicine and Surgery student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Miss Akande Oyinkansola Josephine, has emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 NCDMB Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition.
The grand finale took place on Friday at the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where Oyinkansola clinched the top spot after a nationwide evaluation of submissions from undergraduate students.
She was awarded ₦1 million in cash, a brand-new laptop, and a commemorative plaque.
The Osun State indigene, known for her compassion and service-oriented mindset, aspires to become a medical doctor focused on saving lives and national development.
She also enjoys cooking and caregiving. Sonuga Sultan Opeyemi, a 23-year-old 200-level medical student at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), secured second place.
The Ogun State native, who aims to specialise as a cardiothoracic surgeon and excels in research and academic writing, received ₦700,000, a laptop, and a plaque.
Third place went to Aguigwe Precious Amarachi, a 19-year-old Computer Science student at the University of Uyo.
The Ebonyi State indigene, with interests in web development, YouTube content creation, music, podcasting, and online self-development, was awarded ₦500,000.
Speaking at the event, NCDMB Executive Secretary Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by Mr. Teddy Bai, Head of Corporate Communications, hailed the competition as a key capacity-building initiative now in its ninth year.
“It awakens local content consciousness among undergraduates and promotes intellectual development,” Ogbe said, emphasizing its role in fostering economic growth, job creation, industrialization, and security.
He added that the program builds communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills for the digital economy.
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Ogbe noted the Board’s 10-Year Strategic Roadmap is at 56 percent implementation and highlighted the new “Back to the Creek Initiative” for community support and talent discovery.
He praised the judging process as fair and professional, thanking assessors for upholding excellence.
This year’s theme, “Sustaining Local Content Policies in the Transitioning Oil and Gas Industry,” was deemed timely amid energy transition discussions.
Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, who chaired the ceremony, commended NCDMB for nine years of consistency but urged financial incentives for the other seven finalists to boost participation.
He raised concerns over the absence of Bayelsa or Rivers State students in the top three, calling for greater sensitization.
NCDMB consultant Mr. Eyinimi Omorozi, in his welcome address, praised the top 10 finalists for their discipline and lauded the Board for sustaining academic excellence without blemish.
The event drew students, educators, dignitaries, and media, concluding with accolades for participants and NCDMB’s pledge to develop Nigeria’s future innovators.
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, Ile-Ife, Miss Akande Oyinkansola Josephine, has emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 NCDMB Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition.){kind=link}