Ongoing Essay Competitions in Nigeria (2025): Win Cash & Scholarships

In  this year 2025, essay competitions remain one of the most powerful tools for discovering and specially rewarding young thinkers across Nigeria. Ongoing Essay Competitions in Nigeria (2025): Win Cash & Scholarships serve as a springboard for recognition and growth across academic, professional, and creative fields. For secondary school students, tertiary undergraduates, and even recent graduates, essay competitions go far beyond simply testing writing ability—they open doors.

Essay competitions offer a special platform for self-expression where participants articulate their views on critical social, economic, and cultural issues. They foster intellectual engagement, promote research and analysis, and cultivate persuasive communication skills. More importantly, they provide access to national and international exposure, including scholarships, internships, publication opportunities, and valuable cash prizes. In a landscape where many young Nigerians are seeking meaningful opportunities to stand out, win funding for education, or kickstart their careers, these contests have become essential vehicles for progress and visibility.

Whether you are an aspiring journalist, policy advocate, creative writer, or simply someone passionate about change, participating in essay competitions can be transformative. The most successful entrants often go on to leverage their wins into scholarships, speaking engagements, NGO fellowships, and even job placements.

In this comprehensive post, we explore all currently ongoing essay writing competitions in Nigeria between July and December 2025, providing you with accurate deadlines, eligibility criteria, cash prize values, and links to apply. Whether you’re aiming to fund your education, build your writing portfolio, or simply gain exposure, this guide is your go-to resource.

Why the ongoing Essay Competitions in Nigeria (2025) Still Matter

As the academic and career landscapes evolve, more Nigerian institutions, non-profits, and international organizations are using essay contests to:

• Encourage critical thinking and policy engagement
• Promote youth participation in national development
• Identify promising writers, scholars, and leaders
• Award scholarships and financial support

Aside from the accolades  and cheers, winners often enjoy extra rewards of publication opportunities, media features, mentorship programs, and even job placements.

Useful Resources

• ScholarshipAir.com
• OpportunitiesForAfricans.com
• YouthOp.com
• British Council Nigeria
• Opportunity Desk
• World Bank Blog4Dev

Current Ongoing Essay Competitions in Nigeria (July–December 2025)

Below is a verified list of active and open essay competitions for Nigerians as of July 31, 2025. All entries for the Ongoing Essay Competitions in Nigeria (2025): Win Cash & Scholarships are accurate at the time of writing and are sourced from official organizational websites.

1. NHEF Essay Competition 2025 (Nigeria Higher Education Foundation)

• Deadline: August 15, 2025
• Eligibility: Undergraduate students in partner Nigerian universities
• Topic: Usually revolves around education, innovation, or leadership
• Prizes: Up to ₦250,000 in cash + internship opportunities
• How to Apply: Submit your essay via the NHEF website
• Link: www.thenhef.org

2. Royal Commonwealth Society Essay Competition 2025

• Deadline: September 1, 2025
• Eligibility: Open to school students across the Commonwealth, including Nigeria
• Theme: “Our Common Future: Youth and Sustainability”
• Prizes: Certificates, medals, travel to London for selected winners
• Link: www.thercs.org

3. UBA National Essay Competition 2025

• Deadline: October 10, 2025
• Eligibility: Senior secondary students in Nigeria
• Theme: Financial literacy and leadership among youth
• Prizes: ₦3 million scholarship for university education
• How to Apply: Online form + essay upload
• Link: www.ubagroup.com

4. YOCOPAS Essay and Speech Competition (Covenant University)

• Deadline: July 31, 2025
• Eligibility: Nigerian university undergraduates aged 16–25
• Topic: National unity and peacebuilding
• Prizes: ₦100,000 – ₦300,000 + recognition at national summit
• Link: covenantuniversity.edu.ng

5. NNPC-SNEPCO National University Essay Competition

• Deadline: November 5, 2025
• Eligibility: Undergraduate students in Nigerian universities
• Theme: Energy transition and innovation
• Prizes: Up to ₦500,000 + internship with Shell Nigeria
• Link: www.shell.com.ng

6. World Bank Blog4Dev Essay Contest 2025

• Deadline: December 1, 2025
• Eligibility: Youth aged 18–35 from selected African countries including Nigeria
• Topic: Youth-driven solutions to poverty or development
• Prizes: Paid trip to Washington DC + publication + networking
• Link: www.worldbank.org

7. Goethe-Institute Nigeria Essay Competition

• Deadline: September 25, 2025
• Eligibility: Young Nigerian writers aged 16–30
• Theme: Arts, cultural identity, and freedom
• Prizes: ₦200,000 + publication and mentorship
• Link: www.goethe.de

Upcoming Essay Competitions to Watch Out For (Late 2025)

Even if you’re reading this after some deadlines have passed, here are upcoming contests that usually open between October–December every year:

• FCDO Africa Essay Prize (Gov.uk)
• African Leadership Essay Competition (UONGOZI Institute)
• UNESCO Essay Competition (Global Youth)

Sign up on OpportunityDesk.org or Scholarshipair.com for weekly updates.

How to Prepare for the Ongoing Essay Competitions in Nigeria (Expert Tips)

1. Start Early

Procrastination kills creativity. Begin drafting as soon as a contest opens.

2. Understand the Theme Deeply

Avoid vague or off-topic essays. Research the background behind each theme.

3. Use Authentic Voice

Juries often prefer personal stories, real-life examples, and a passionate tone.

4. Use Proper Grammar and Format

Use spelling and grammar tools like Grammarly, but always proofread manually.

5. Meet the Word Count

Follow the minimum and maximum word count rules. Submissions outside the range are often disqualified.

6. Avoid Plagiarism

Originality is key. Use plagiarism detection tools like Qu text or Turnitin before submitting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting after the deadline
• Using AI-generated content
• Ignoring formatting instructions
• Over-quoting sources
• Writing without a clear structure

Real-Life Success Story: How Essay Competitions Changed A Life

In 2022, 19-year-old Uche from Anambra State won the UBA Essay Competition. The ₦2.5 million prize enabled her to fund her first year at UNILAG. She was later featured in a national newspaper and landed an internship through a judge’s recommendation. Today, Uche runs a youth writing club in Lagos.

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Act Now

Essay competitions in Nigeria are more than just writing exercises—they are doors to bigger platforms. From international scholarships to paid mentorships and global exposure, these opportunities are waiting for those who dare to write.

The Ongoing Essay Competitions in Nigeria (2025): Win Cash & Scholarships With over ₦20 million in prizes available across the listed contests, it’s clear that writing well—and writing now—can pay off in more ways than one, as you utilize this opportunity presented to you today.

Don’t wait. Pick one or two of the contests listed above and start writing today.

Useful Links

• British Council Nigeria
• Opportunity Desk
• Opportunities for Africans
• Scholarship Air
• UNESCO Essay Portal
• The Royal Commonwealth Society
• World Bank Blog4Dev
• NHEF Nigeria
• Youth Opportunities

Stay proactive. Essay competitions can be your cross over to the next big thing in your life.