Essay competitions provide Nigerian students, graduates and young Africans with opportunities to demonstrate their writing abilities, develop critical thinking skills and share their perspectives on important social, economic, educational and global issues. These competitions are organised by universities, government agencies, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, private companies, foundations and educational institutions.

Participating in essay competitions can help students improve their research, analytical reasoning, communication and academic writing skills. It also provides an opportunity to gain recognition beyond the classroom. Depending on the competition, winners may receive cash prizes, scholarships, educational grants, laptops, certificates, internship placements, international trips or opportunities to participate in conferences and other professional development programmes.

Essay competitions are available across different subject areas, including education, leadership, entrepreneurship, governance, technology, climate change, environmental sustainability, human rights, peacebuilding, public health, agriculture, economic development and international relations. Some competitions focus on specific academic disciplines, while others invite participants to write about general issues affecting Nigeria, Africa and the wider world.

Nigerian students can participate in essay competitions organised within the country or apply for international writing contests open to African applicants. Some competitions are specifically designed for secondary school students, undergraduates or postgraduate students, while others accept graduates, young professionals and members of the general public. International competitions may also have country-specific eligibility conditions, age limits or language requirements.

Eligibility requirements depend on the organisers and the objectives of each competition. Applicants may be required to provide proof of school enrolment, university admission, Nigerian citizenship or residence in an eligible African country. Other competitions specify age limits, academic levels or professional categories. Participants should carefully review the eligibility conditions before preparing their submissions.

Essay competition requirements commonly include an original essay written according to a specified topic, word count, format and submission guideline. Some organisers require applicants to submit their work in Microsoft Word or PDF format, while others provide an online application form. Additional requirements may include a short biography, photograph, contact information, student identification card or proof of academic status.

Originality is particularly important when participating in essay competitions. Applicants should develop their own arguments, conduct appropriate research and acknowledge sources where necessary. Plagiarism, fabricated information and failure to follow submission instructions may lead to disqualification. Participants should also ensure that their essays meet the specified word limit and are submitted before the closing date.

Competition deadlines vary throughout the year. Some organisers announce annual writing contests, while others conduct competitions to mark special events, promote awareness or address particular social issues. Applicants should regularly check official competition announcements and submit their entries through the approved application channels.

EducationNGR provides information about ongoing essay competitions that may interest Nigerian students and other young Africans. Interested participants should confirm the eligibility criteria, essay topics, submission requirements, prizes and deadlines directly from the official competition organisers before applying.

List of Ongoing Essay Competitions: Eligibility, Requirements and How to Apply

Stories From Nigeria 2026 Annual Writing Competition for Nigerian Writers

Stories From Nigeria (SFN) has opened submissions for its 2026 Annual Writing Competition, inviting Nigerian writers aged 16 to 35 to share original stories exploring life and social change in the country. Now in its third year, the competition offers cash prizes and interview features for outstanding entries. Submissions opened on 21 October 2026 and close on 12 November 2026.

Participants must choose one of five themes: Justice, Healthcare, Social Reform, Education or Entrepreneurship. Eligible entries include short stories, poems and essays of no more than 750 words. Submissions must be original and unpublished, written in English and formatted in Arial, 11-point font, with 1.5 line spacing. Works written in indigenous Nigerian languages are also encouraged, provided an English translation accompanies them.

The competition is open to Nigerian citizens aged 16 to 35, including residents of Nigeria and Nigerians living abroad. The first-place winner will receive ₦200,000 and an interview feature on Stories From Nigeria. The second-place winner will receive ₦150,000 and an interview feature, while the third-place winner will receive ₦100,000 and an interview feature. Entries will be judged anonymously, with authenticity, literary quality, storytelling and originality accounting for 70% of the assessment, while cultural relevance, social impact and technical execution make up the remaining 30%.

Submissions close on 12 November 2026, while judging is scheduled to end on 30 November 2026. Between 20 and 40 entries will be longlisted, followed by a shortlist of 10 to 15 submissions, from which a guest judge will select the winners. The winners will be announced on 7 December 2026 at the maiden SFN Virtual Conference. Interested writers should submit their entries through the official Stories From Nigeria submission page before the deadline.

NBA Lagos Young Lawyers’ Forum Alex Ekwueme Essay Competition 2.0

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Young Lawyers’ Forum has opened entries for the Alex Ekwueme Essay Competition 2.0, inviting eligible young lawyers to examine judicial neutrality, professional accountability and public confidence in the justice system ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The competition honours Dr Alex Ekwueme and offers cash prizes to outstanding participants.

Applicants are required to write on the topic “Reclaiming Public Confidence, Judicial Neutrality and Professional Accountability Ahead of the 2027 Elections.” Essays must be between 1,500 and 2,000 words, written in Times New Roman, 12-point font, with 1.5 line spacing. Entries must be submitted individually in PDF or Microsoft Word (.docx) format.

The competition is open exclusively to registered members of the NBA Lagos Branch who are seven years post-call or below. Essays must not contain the entrant’s name or other personal information; applicants should provide their names, contact details and year of call only through the official submission form. Plagiarised or fully AI-generated essays will be disqualified.

The first-place winner will receive ₦500,000, while the second-place winner will receive ₦300,000. Eligible young lawyers must submit their entries on or before 25 November 2026 through the official Alex Ekwueme Essay Competition submission form. Applicants are advised to follow all submission requirements before uploading their essays.

HRCRC 2026 Essay and Public Speaking Competition for Ebonyi North Students

The Human Rights and Conflicts Resolution Centre (HRCRC), Abakaliki, has opened entries for its 2026 secondary school essay and public speaking competition for students across the Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone. The competition forms part of the centre’s activities to mark the 2026 World Human Rights Day.

Participants are required to write an essay on “The Nigeria I Want: Human Rights and the Future of Our Country.” Entries must not exceed 500 words and should be submitted in Microsoft Word or PDF format, using Times New Roman, font size 12, with justified text. Each submission must include the student’s name, school and location.

Interested students should email their essays to 2026essaycompetition@hrcrc.ng on or before 6 November 2026. Successful entrants will be contacted by email and invited to participate in the grand public speaking competition scheduled for 10 December 2026.

The competition offers cash prizes of ₦150,000 for the first-place winner, ₦120,000 for the second-place winner and ₦70,000 for the third-place winner. For sponsorship and collaboration enquiries, interested persons can contact Chioma on 08133268808, Fr. Edet on 09135578380 or Uche on 08126386549. Further enquiries can also be sent to 2026essaycompetition@hrcrc.ng.

EducationNGR Editorial Team

The official account of EducatioNGR editorial team, used for publication of various educational resources and information. A Team with a combined experience of 15 years and headed by the Lead Publisher; Amakor Vitalis.