Fas Comprehensive College, Ogun State, and two other secondary schools in Lagos, have emerged victorious in the 2026 edition of the CWAY World Water Day Essay Competition.

The competition, which formed the centrepiece of CWAY Water’s multi-layered commemoration of World Water Day 2026, culminated in a grand finale held at the company’s corporate headquarters in Isolo, Lagos.

The essay competition, which attracted entries from secondary school students across Lagos and Ogun states, was designed to provoke critical thinking among young Nigerians. The participants mostly SS1 to SS3 students interrogated the intersection between water access and gender equality.

From hundreds of entries received, six finalists were shortlisted for the grand finale. These finalists included Melody Iboma of Solid Ultimate Academy, Lagos; Fadare Oluwaseunfunmi of FAS Comprehensive College, Ogun State; Oluremi Temidayo Mercy of Coriander Secondary School, Lagos; Emeka Vanessa Victory of Mighty Pillars School, Lagos; Richard Oghagaoghene Eterigbo of St. Margaret Comprehensive College, Lagos; and Oniga Ayomikun of Dee Royale Montessori School, Lagos.

Oluwaseunfunmi, the overall winner, clinched the top prize of N300,000 along with a CWAY premium water dispenser. Her performance stood out for its depth of insight and confident articulation of the gender dimensions of water access.

Victory of Mighty Pillars School secured second place, earning N200,000 and 25 packs of CWAY bottled water, while Mercy of Coriander Secondary School came third, receiving N100,000 and 20 packs of bottled water.

The finalists, Richard Oghagaoghene Eterigbo, Melody Iboma, and Oniga Ayomikun, got consolation cash prizes and packs of CWAY water, underscoring the company’s commitment to rewarding excellence and participation alike.

Speaking at the event, CWAY Water’s Group Marketing Head, Samuel Akinrimisi, emphasised that the company’s involvement in World Water Day goes beyond symbolic participation.

According to him, the annual commemoration represents a deliberate effort by the brand to invest in meaningful conversations and initiatives that address real societal challenges.

Reinforcing this position, Deputy General Manager for Sales Operations, Charles Ojo, pointed to CWAY Water’s extensive operational footprint as evidence of its commitment to bridging the gap between advocacy and action.