Ongoing Essay Competitions for Undergraduates in Nigeria 2025 [Updated]

Writing and submitting your entry for an essay competition is a good way to leverage on your idea and writing skills. The benefits of writing essays may include cash prizes, scholarships, mentorship, publication and even travel sponsorships.

Look below for ongoing Essay Competitions in Nigeria as of October 2025 [Updated].

Ongoing Essay Competitions in Nigeria 2025

You can give some of these a shot:

Disclaimer: Please conduct your own due diligence to verify the authenticity of these essay competitions. Blackgeeks Nigeria is not responsible for any inconsistencies or issues arising from the essay organisers or any other parties involved.

1. NICarb Annual Essay Writing Competition

Deadline: October 31st, 2025

Submission Link: research@nicarb.org

Topic: Confidentiality vs. Transparency in Arbitration: Striking the Right Balance Between Commercial Privacy and Public Accountability – A Comparative Analysis of Nigeria’s Framework and UNCITRAL Transparency Standards

Worth/Prizes:

• First Position: ₦500,000
• Second Position: ₦300,000
• Third Position: ₦200,000
• Best article will be published in NICarb’s Journal of Arbitration

Eligibility/Requirement:

• Open to interested participants
• Arial Font Size 12 (Footnote size 10)
• Oxford Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities (OSCOLA)
• Word Count: 5,000-10,000 words (footnotes inclusive)
• 1.5 line spacing

Key Dates:

• Submission Deadline: October 31st, 2025
• Winners will be awarded at the 2025 Annual Conference

Further Info: Contact membership@nicarb.org or call +234 908 718 7407-8

2. ILSA UI Memorial Writing Competition

Deadline: October 31st, 2025

Submission Link: https://bit.ly/ILSAUIMEMORIALCOMP

Topic: To be accessed via memorial fact sheet

Worth/Prizes:

• Winner: ₦300,000
• First Runner Up: ₦200,000
• Second Runner Up: ₦100,000

Eligibility/Requirement:

• Open to all law students in tertiary institutions in Nigeria
• Note: Participation in the memorial writing competition precludes participation in the ILSA essay writing competition and vice versa

Key Dates:

• Submission Deadline: October 31st, 2025

Further Info: Access memorial fact at https://bit.ly/ILSAUIMemorialCompCase or contact Boluwaji: 08055052838, Goodness: 07060569505. Join the Undergraduate Essayist Group (UEG) on WhatsApp.

3. Wola Joseph – Condotti Essay Competition (Second Edition)

Deadline: October 20th, 2025

Submission Link: jaalsstudentsconnection@gmail.com

Topic: Leadership in a Digital Age: Taking Charge for What is, and What is to Come, Through Technological Transformation

Worth/Prizes:

• 1st Place: ₦300,000
• 2nd Place: ₦200,000
• 3rd Place: ₦100,000

Eligibility/Requirement:

• Open to all undergraduates in all accredited universities in Nigeria
• Maximum of 1,500 words
• Typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced
• Footnotes/Referencing in APA style
• Plagiarism is strictly prohibited; any plagiarized entry will be disqualified
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
• Selected participants must be ready to attend the Jaals Junior Conference in November at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State

Key Dates:

• Opens: September 26th, 2025
• Closes: October 20th, 2025

Further Info: Visit www.jaalsfoundation.org or contact the Jaals Foundation. Join the Undergraduate Essayist Group (UEG) on WhatsApp.

4. Fisayo Soyombo Inter-Varsity Essay Competition

Deadline: November 15, 2025

Submission Link: ucjunibadan@gmail.com

Topic: Who Fails When Schools Fail? Practical Solutions to Nigeria’s Public Education Crisis

Worth/Prizes:

• First Place: ₦250,000 and internship placement
• Second Place: ₦150,000
• Third Place: ₦100,000

Eligibility/Requirement:

• Undergraduate university students in Nigeria
• Applicants must attach their school ID card alongside their entries
• Word Count: 1500-2000 words
• Format: Times New Roman, Font Size 12, 1.5 Line Spacing

Key Dates:

• Deadline for submission of entry: November 15, 2025

Further Info: Organized by Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan. Follow @ucjui on social media. Join the Undergraduate Essayist Group (UEG) on WhatsApp.

5. TAL Community Essay Competition

Deadline: October 30th, 2025

Submission Link: forms.gle/wUz9I5JCShbHYFX77

Topic: Data Minimization in the Age of Big AI Models

Worth/Prizes:

• Winner: ₦200,000
• Free slots to Tech Court for the Top 5

Eligibility/Requirement:

• AI and Tech Enthusiasts

Key Dates:

• Submission Deadline: October 30th, 2025

Further Info: Organized by The Agile Legal-tech Network and The Tech Court (Lagos, Nigeria). Join the Undergraduate Essayist Group (UEG) on WhatsApp.

6. Phronesis 2025 Essay Competition

Deadline: October 20th, 2025 (11:59 PM)

Submission Link: essay@phronesis.com.ng

Topic: Beyond Authority: Can Leadership Exist Without Power?

Worth/Prizes:

• First Place: ₦150,000
• Second Place: ₦100,000
• Third Place: ₦75,000
• Fourth Place: ₦50,000
• Certificate of participation for all participants who score above 60%

Eligibility/Requirement:

• Open to all undergraduate students enrolled in Nigerian universities
• Each essay must be a minimum of 750 words
• Formatted in Times New Roman font with a font size of 12
• Footnotes should be included where necessary
• Applicants are strongly advised to ensure their work is free of plagiarism

Key Dates:

• Applications Open: September 12th, 2025
• Applications Close: October 20th, 2025 (11:59 PM)
• Winners Announced: 1st of November, 2025 at Visible Influence 2025

Further Info: For enquiries: 08023648158, 09012760602, 09091286334. Visit www.phronesis.com.ng. Join the Undergraduate Essayist Group (UEG) on WhatsApp.

7. LawArticle Essay Writing Competition

Deadline: October 25th, 2025

Submission Link: www.lawarticle.in

Topic: Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Age

Worth/Prizes:

• 1st Prize: ₹1500 + Certificate
• 2nd Prize: ₹1000 + Certificate
• 3rd Prize: ₹600 + Certificate
• Rank 4-10: Certificate

Eligibility/Requirement:

• Open to all undergraduate law students (3-year & 5-year courses)
• Registration Fees: Single Author – ₹250

Key Dates:

• Registration Opens: September 20th, 2025
• Submission Deadline: October 25th, 2025
• Results Declaration: October 30th, 2025

Further Info: Email: info@lawarticle.in or visit www.lawarticle.in for application. Join the Undergraduate Essayist Group (UEG) on WhatsApp.

Wrap-up

We hope you’ve now found your next essay topic. If you have any question concerning the above essays, please feel free to use the comment box.

This page is periodically updated, so if you don’t find what you want, you can check back later for newly uploaded Essay Competitions. Before leaving, we’d recommend that you read our blog on How To Write Winning Essays by Akunna James-Ibe.