Oluwabukola Essien, a recent graduate of Estate Management from Cross River State University (UNICROSS), has emerged winner of the 2025 EY Young Tax Professional of the Year (YTPY) competition in Nigeria.

Essien defeated over 500 contestants drawn from 56 tertiary institutions across the country to clinch the top prize.

The YTPY is a global competition that attracts talent from diverse academic disciplines. Through practical case studies and presentations, participants are equipped with the skills required to thrive in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving global economy.

Designed as a platform to identify, develop and celebrate the next generation of tax leaders, the programme provided young talents the opportunity to showcase their technical knowledge, analytical ability and innovative thinking, while gaining exposure to real-world business challenges.

Beyond taxation, the competition tasks participants with examining issues across corporate strategy, finance, technology, artificial intelligence, sustainability, business ethics, supply chain management, and broader business operations.

This year’s grand finale was held at the EY Lagos office, where 10 finalists drawn from top universities across the country, including the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ife; University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); Covenant University, Ota (CU); Babcock University, (BU), Ilishan; Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Lagos; University of Ibadan (UI) and UNICROSS contested for the national title.

Providing an overview of this year’s competition, the Associate Partner at EY and Coordinator of the programme, Dr Akeem Ogunseni, said the competition attracted 510 entries from 56 tertiary institutions nationwide.

According to him, following a rigorous selection process that involved assessment tests, research, strategic analysis, and presentations, 305 candidates were shortlisted.

He said 122 contestants progressed to the quarterfinals, 31 advanced to the semifinals, and 10 advanced to the grand finale.

Ogunseni noted that the YTPY programme is one of the ways EY is giving back to society, adding that EY Nigeria joined the global initiative in 2022.

“The competition is dedicated to undergraduates, and the 10 finalists are all winners and pride to all of us here. Today, we usher them into a new realm. The overall winner will represent Nigeria at the global stage, with all expenses covered by EY. The top five finalists have the opportunity to undertake their internship at EY. This is all about grooming the next generation of tax leaders,” he said.

Speaking after being declared the winner, Essien thanked the leadership of EY for the opportunity to participate in the competition, saying that while the process was rigorous, it gave her the confidence that she could thrive in the tax profession.