Call for Entries: 4th National Essay Competition

The fourth edition of the National Essay Competition has officially kicked off, offering millions of naira in prizes to talented writers across the country.

Who Can Apply? The competition is open to all Nigerian citizens between the ages of 20 and 35. The organizers have explicitly encouraged persons living with disabilities to participate and apply.

Cash Prizes: The rewards for the best essays are life-changing:

• 1st Place: Five Million Naira (₦5,000,000)
• 2nd Place: Three Million Naira (₦3,000,000)
• 3rd Place: Two Million Naira (₦2,000,000)

The official grand finale and awards presentation are scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2026.

The Deadline

While the exact “minute” the portal closes isn’t always publicized, the competition phases were set for December 2025 through January 2026.

Since the grand finale is this coming Saturday, the submission window has likely just closed or is closing immediately to allow for the final grading and selection of the 12 best essays.

What you should do right now:

1 Check the portal immediately: Go to nationalessay.ng right now. If the submission form is still active, upload your essay immediately.

2 Contact them: If you are having trouble with the link, you can try reaching out to them via email at [email protected]  to see if they are still accepting late entries before the ceremony on the 7th
How to Enter: If you meet the age requirements and want to showcase your writing skills, you can submit your entry through the official application portal at: nationalessay.ng