Ekiti State Youth Essay Competition 2026: Win ₦1.5 Million, Laptop and Certificate.
The Ekiti State Government, through the Ekiti State at 30 Anniversary Planning Committee, has announced the Ekiti State at 30 Youth Essay Competition 2026 as part of activities marking the 30th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State.
The competition invites young Ekiti indigenes to share their vision for the future of the state and propose practical ideas for its development over the next 30 years.
Essay Competition Topic
The required essay topic is:
“Ekiti at 30: My Dream and Agenda for the Next Thirty Years”
Participants are expected to imagine the Ekiti State they want to see by 2056 and explain the practical steps that can be taken today to make that vision possible.
The organisers are looking for essays that are:
- Original
- Forward-looking
- Practical
- Solution-driven
- Relevant to Ekiti State’s long-term development
Applicants should go beyond identifying problems. They should explain what should be done, who should do it, how the ideas could be funded and what results should be expected.
Areas Participants Can Explore
Participants may focus on one or more of the following areas:
- Agriculture and food security
- Education and human-capital development
- Technology and innovation
- Entrepreneurship and job creation
- Arts, culture and tourism
- Infrastructure and urban development
- Healthcare and social protection
- Governance and civic responsibility
- Environmental sustainability
The essay should connect the participant’s vision with realistic implementation strategies.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to:
- Ekiti State indigenes
- Young people aged 18 to 35 years
- Eligible participants living within or outside Ekiti State, including those living outside Nigeria
Essay Requirements
Applicants must submit an essay that meets the following requirements:
- The essay must address the official topic.
- The essay must be the applicant’s original work.
- The essay must be between 1,000 and 1,500 words.
- The essay must be forward-looking.
- The essay must be practical and solution-driven.
- The essay must focus on Ekiti’s development by 2056.
- The essay should propose realistic actions and measurable outcomes.
Document and Submission Checklist
Applicants should prepare the following materials before submitting their entries:
1. Essay Document
- Original essay on the topic: “Ekiti at 30: My Dream and Agenda for the Next Thirty Years”
- Word count: 1,000–1,500 words
- Clear and readable formatting
- Practical, innovative and solution-focused ideas
2. Personal Information
Applicants should be ready to provide:
- Full name
- Age or date of birth
- Contact details
- Confirmation of Ekiti indigene status
- Any other information requested in the official application form
3. Supporting Information
Where requested through the application portal, applicants should provide information confirming their eligibility and identity.
The official competition page should be checked for any additional submission instructions before applying.
Prizes and Awards
The competition offers cash prizes, laptops and certificates to the leading participants.
First Prize
- ₦1,500,000
- Laptop
- Certificate
Second Prize
- ₦1,000,000
- Laptop
- Certificate
Third Prize
- ₦750,000
- Laptop
- Certificate
Seven Other Finalists
- ₦100,000 each
- Certificate of Distinction
This means that 10 finalists will receive prizes or recognition.
Additional Opportunities for Finalists
The competition offers opportunities beyond the cash prizes.
Publication of the Top 10 Essays
The top 10 essays will be edited and published in a commemorative publication marking Ekiti State’s 30th anniversary.
Ekiti Youth Futures Forum
Finalists will be invited to the Ekiti Youth Futures Forum, scheduled for December 2026.
Proposed Youth Agenda for Ekiti 2056
The strongest ideas from the competition will be compiled into a proposed “Youth Agenda for Ekiti 2056” and presented to the Ekiti State Government.
This gives participants an opportunity for their ideas to contribute to discussions about the state’s long-term development.
Application Timeline
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Entries open | September 11, 2026 |
| Submission deadline | September 28, 2026 |
| Winners’ presentation | October 7, 2026 |
| Winners’ presentation venue | Ado-Ekiti |
| Ekiti Youth Futures Forum | December 2026 |
The winners will be announced and presented with their prizes at the Ekiti at 30 Future Summit on October 7, 2026, in Ado-Ekiti.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
Ensure that you are an Ekiti indigene between the ages of 18 and 35.
Step 2: Write Your Essay
Prepare a 1,000–1,500-word original essay on:
“Ekiti at 30: My Dream and Agenda for the Next Thirty Years.”
Your essay should explain your vision for Ekiti in 2056 and the practical steps needed to achieve it.
Step 3: Review Your Submission
Check that:
- Your essay meets the word-count requirement.
- Your ideas are practical and solution-driven.
- Your work is original.
- Your personal details are accurate.
- All required information has been provided.
Step 4: Submit Online
Submit your entry through the official Ekiti State Government competition portal:
Important Things to Note
- Only Ekiti indigenes aged 18–35 are eligible.
- Participants may live in Ekiti State, elsewhere in Nigeria or outside Nigeria.
- Essays must be original.
- Essays must contain between 1,000 and 1,500 words.
- The essay should focus on Ekiti’s future development by 2056.
- Practical implementation, funding and measurable results should be considered.
- The top 10 essays will be published in a commemorative publication.
- Finalists will be invited to the Ekiti Youth Futures Forum in December.
- Strong ideas may be included in the proposed Youth Agenda for Ekiti 2056.
- The submission deadline is September 28, 2026.
- Winners’ prize presentation will take place on October 7, 2026, in Ado-Ekiti.
Scholarships Expiring Soon
Conclusion
The Ekiti State at 30 Youth Essay Competition 2026 gives young Ekiti indigenes an opportunity to present their ideas for the state’s future while competing for cash prizes, laptops and certificates.
Eligible participants should submit a practical and original essay before the September 28, 2026 deadline.
