16-Year-Old OAU Medical Student Wins 2025 NCDMB National Undergraduate Essay Competition

A 16-year-old prodigy, Akande Oyinkansola Josephine, has been crowned the overall winner of the 2025 NCDMB Oil and Gas Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition, marking a remarkable achievement for the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, and for Nigeria’s academic landscape.

Oyinkansola, a 200-level Medicine and Surgery student, outshone competitors from across the country at the grand finale held at the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. For her outstanding performance, she received ₦1 million and a brand-new laptop.

Coming in second was 23-year-old Sonuga Sultan Opeyemi, a medical student at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), who earned ₦700,000 and a laptop. 19-year-old Aguigwe Precious Amarachi, studying Computer Science at the University of Uyo, clinched third place with a ₦500,000 prize and a laptop.

Now in its ninth year, the prestigious competition continues to shape the next generation of thought leaders by deepening students’ understanding of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and boosting awareness of local content development across tertiary institutions.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the contest as one of the Board’s signature platforms for human capacity development. He emphasized that the initiative fosters critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills, preparing students for the rapidly evolving digital economy.

“Through this competition, we aim to strengthen skills that prepare our undergraduates for the modern digital economy,” Ogbe noted, highlighting that the Board’s 10-Year Strategic Roadmap has achieved 56% implementation. He also spotlighted the newly introduced Back to the Creek Initiative, designed to support host communities and nurture indigenous talents.

The 2025 theme, “Sustaining Local Content Policies in the Transitioning Oil and Gas Industry,” resonated strongly with ongoing national conversations around energy transition and capacity development.

NCDMB competition consultant, Mr. Eyinimi Omorozi, praised the top ten finalists for their intellect, creativity, and discipline, describing the nearly decade-long initiative as a major driver of academic excellence and youth empowerment.