A student of Deeper Life High School in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Agburum Clinton Chimenem, has emerged as the overall winner of the 2026 Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition.

The annual essay competition is free and open to secondary school students across Nigeria, providing young learners with an opportunity to demonstrate their writing, research and critical-thinking abilities.

Agburum emerged at the top after recording an average score of 79 per cent across the three stages of the competition.

He was followed by Alimi-Adeiga Mosorireoluwa of Holyland Senior College, Ipaja, Lagos, who scored 75 per cent to finish as the first runner-up. Oloruntimilehin Elijah Oladipo of Isolo Comprehensive Senior High School, Lagos, came third with a score of 70 per cent.

As the overall winner, Agburum will receive a cash prize of ₦1 million, a laptop and a plaque. The first and second runners-up will also receive laptops and plaques in recognition of their performances.

The winners are expected to receive their prizes during the upcoming Bishop Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture Series scheduled for Thursday.

The results were announced by the Chief Examiner, Professor Akachi Ezeigbo, in a statement signed by Pastor Anthony Samuel on behalf of the organisers.

According to Ezeigbo, the competition attracted more than 1,000 entries, although 850 submissions met the required criteria and proceeded to the assessment stage.

She noted that several of the essays demonstrated students’ growing understanding of the impact of science and technology on education and society. The submissions also showed that young Nigerians are increasingly interested in exploring emerging technologies and their potential applications.

The Chief Examiner particularly highlighted the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the entries, noting that many participants used AI to produce more detailed and factual essays.

However, the winning essay stood out for effectively presenting AI as a useful tool for learning. According to Ezeigbo, Agburum explored the ways artificial intelligence is transforming different sectors, including medicine, geography, entertainment and politics.

The essay also examined how AI can make everyday activities easier and improve efficiency in the workplace.

The recognition of AI and technology in this year’s competition reflects the growing importance of digital skills in education. As Nigerian schools increasingly embrace technology, competitions such as the Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition provide students with platforms to think critically about how emerging technologies are changing society.

The Bishop Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture Series, where the winners will be honoured, also continues to provide a platform for discussing important national issues and exchanging ideas that can contribute to Nigeria’s development.

The success of the Rivers State student is another notable achievement for secondary school students in the state and highlights the potential of Nigerian young people when given opportunities to develop and showcase their talents.