FUNAAB student tops national essay competition, wins N400,000

By Rosemary Etim Bassey

A student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Adeniji Yusuf Joseph, has emerged winner of the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) National Tertiary Institution Essay Competition on AI literacy and responsible technology use.

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He received a cash prize of N400,000 at the grand finale held in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The second position went to Enoch Aremu of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), who won ₦300,000, while Deniran El-Caleb Obanijesu of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) placed third and received N200,000.

The competition brought together students from tertiary institutions across Nigeria to explore issues around artificial intelligence, digital literacy, and responsible technology use.

Organisers said the contest attracted 1,423 essay entries from 549 institutions across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the Executive Director of BBYDI, Nurah Jimoh-Sanni, the entries were first screened down to 100 essays before 12 finalists were selected for the grand finale in Ilorin.

She said the initiative was designed to encourage young Nigerians to think critically about emerging technologies and their impact on society.

“The response we received reflects the curiosity, intellectual engagement and readiness of young Nigerians to participate meaningfully in conversations that will shape the country’s digital future,” she said.

Jimoh-Sanni also warned about growing concerns around students relying too heavily on AI-generated content, stressing the need for balance.

“Technology should support human thinking, not replace it,” she said.

The final stage of the competition featured presentations and defence of essays before a panel of judges drawn from academia, media, law and technology.

Judges praised the finalists for their originality, clarity of thought, and understanding of artificial intelligence and its implications.