Clinton Agburum wins 2026 Mike Okonkwo National Essay Contest

Clinton Chimenem Agburum, a student from Deeper Life High School in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has won the 2026 Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for secondary school students in Nigeria. Agburum secured the top position with an overall score of 79 per cent. For his achievement, he will receive a N1 million cash prize, a laptop, and a plaque.

Alimi-Adeiga Mosorireoluwa of Holyland Senior College, Ipaja, finished in second place with 75 per cent, while Oloruntimilehin Elijah Oladipo of Isolo Comprehensive Senior High School took third place with 70 per cent. The final stage of the competition required participants to write on the topic: ‘Is AI the Future or the End of Education?’

Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo, the Chief Examiner, noted that out of over 1,000 entries, 850 met the technical requirements for review. She observed that many submissions demonstrated how science and technology are transforming education, noting that Artificial Intelligence has enabled participants to produce detailed and factual essays that go beyond the limits of traditional curricula.