Kiriji Heritage Essay Competition 2026
The Kiriji Heritage Conservation Foundation, in partnership with Roving Heights, is inviting Nigerian tertiary students and eligible young Nigerians to participate in the Kiriji Heritage Essay Competition 2026.
The competition commemorates the 140th Anniversary of the Kiriji Peace Treaty and seeks to encourage historical research, critical thinking, cultural awareness and reflection on how the Kiriji peace process can provide lessons for peacebuilding, unity and national development in contemporary Nigeria.
Important: This is an essay competition, not a conventional scholarship. Winners will receive cash prizes, while outstanding participants may also receive certificates and recognition.
Kiriji Heritage Essay Competition 2026 at a Glance
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Kiriji Heritage Essay Competition 2026 |
| Organiser | Kiriji Heritage Conservation Foundation |
| Partner | Roving Heights |
| Country | Nigeria |
| Eligible applicants | Nigerian students/young people who meet the requirements |
| Institution requirement | Must be a student of a tertiary institution in Nigeria |
| Essay length | 1,500–2,000 words |
| 1st Prize | ₦200,000 |
| 2nd Prize | ₦150,000 |
| 3rd Prize | ₦100,000 |
| Application opens | August 24, 2026 |
| Submission deadline | September 7, 2026 |
| Shortlisted entries | September 15, 2026 |
| Winners announced | September 18, 2026 |
| Award presentation | September 21, 2026 |
About the Kiriji Heritage Essay Competition
The competition is being organised to commemorate 140 years of the Kiriji Peace Treaty.
According to the organisers, the competition is intended to promote:
- Historical research
- Critical thinking
- Cultural awareness
- Reflection on Yoruba history and heritage
- Understanding of peacebuilding
- National unity
- Lessons for contemporary Nigeria.
The organisers want participants to go beyond simply recounting historical events and instead examine the relevance of the Kiriji peace process to Nigeria today.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to Nigerian students and young people who satisfy the stated eligibility requirements.
Applicants must:
- Be a Nigerian citizen.
- Be a student of a tertiary institution in Nigeria.
- Submit only one essay.
- Ensure the essay is their original work.
- Not submit a previous winning entry from another competition.
- Submit their entry within the stipulated application period.
Essay Topic
All participants are required to write on the following topic:
“140 Years of Peace, Unity and Yoruba Heritage: Lessons from the Kiriji Peace Treaty for Contemporary Nigeria”
The essay must contain between:
1,500 and 2,000 words
What Should the Essay Demonstrate?
The organisers expect submissions to demonstrate more than basic knowledge of the historical event.
Your essay should demonstrate:
Understanding of the Kiriji War and Peace Treaty
You should show a clear understanding of the Kiriji War and the Peace Treaty that brought the conflict to an end.
Knowledge of Yoruba History and Heritage
The essay should demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of Yoruba history and heritage.
Critical Analysis
The competition specifically requires critical analysis rather than mere narration.
In other words, applicants should not simply tell the story of what happened. They should analyse its meaning, significance and relevance.
Lessons for Contemporary Nigeria
Your essay should identify lessons from the Kiriji Peace Treaty that can be applied to contemporary Nigeria.
Originality of Thought and Expression
The organisers are looking for original ideas and expression.
Proper Referencing
Sources used in preparing the essay should be properly referenced.
Prizes to Be Won
There are three cash prizes:
First Prize — ₦200,000
The winner of the competition will receive ₦200,000.
Second Prize — ₦150,000
The second-place winner will receive ₦150,000.
Third Prize — ₦100,000
The third-place winner will receive ₦100,000.
In addition to the cash prizes, outstanding participants may also receive certificates and recognition.
Submission Guidelines
Applicants must follow the submission requirements carefully.
The essay should:
- Be submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx) or PDF format.
- Use a clear, readable font.
- Include your name and contact details as requested on the application form.
- Be original.
- Be properly referenced.
The organisers have also made it clear that:
- Plagiarised submissions will be disqualified.
- AI-generated submissions will be disqualified.
- Late submissions will not be considered.
Important Note About AI
Applicants should pay particular attention to this requirement.
The competition expressly states that AI-generated essays will be disqualified. Therefore, applicants should write their submissions themselves and ensure that their work represents their own ideas, research and expression.
Application Timeline
The competition follows the timeline below:
Application Opens: August 24, 2026
Submission Deadline: September 7, 2026
Shortlisted Entries: September 15, 2026
Winners Announced: September 18, 2026
Award Presentation: September 21, 2026
How to Apply
Interested applicants should prepare their 1,500–2,000-word essay according to the requirements and submit it through the official application form.
The official competition page provides the “Click here to submit the application” link, which leads to the registration form.
Before submitting, make sure that your essay:
- Addresses the exact competition topic.
- Is between 1,500 and 2,000 words.
- Is your original work.
- Uses proper referencing.
- Is saved as a Word document or PDF.
- Uses a clear, readable font.
- Contains your required name and contact details.
- Does not contain plagiarised or AI-generated content.
About Kiriji Heritage Conservation Foundation
The Kiriji Heritage Conservation Foundation is a cultural, historical and developmental organisation established to preserve, promote and immortalise the heritage of the historic Kiriji War and Peace Treaty.
The Foundation focuses on preserving the history and heritage associated with the Kiriji Peace Treaty and promoting its relevance to peace, cultural awareness and development.
The Foundation’s broader mission includes preserving and promoting the historical significance of the Kiriji Peace Treaty and Yoruba heritage, fostering peacebuilding and historical research, developing heritage and educational facilities, promoting economic empowerment through tourism and culture, and strengthening connections between Yoruba descendants and the African diaspora.
Organisers
The competition is organised by:
Kiriji Heritage Conservation Foundation
In partnership with: Roving Heights
Contact Information
For enquiries, the Kiriji Heritage website lists:
Phone: +234 806 921 9997
Kiriji Heritage Essay Competition 2026 Summary
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Nigerian citizen | ✅ Required |
| Tertiary institution student in Nigeria | ✅ Required |
| Essay topic | 140 Years of Peace, Unity and Yoruba Heritage |
| Word count | 1,500–2,000 words |
| Number of entries | One essay per participant |
| Original work | Required |
| Proper referencing | Required |
| Previous winning entry | Not eligible |
| Submission format | .doc, .docx or PDF |
| AI-generated work | Disqualified |
| Plagiarism | Disqualified |
| Late submission | Not considered |
| 1st prize | ₦200,000 |
| 2nd prize | ₦150,000 |
| 3rd prize | ₦100,000 |
| Certificates/recognition | Available for outstanding participants |
| Application opens | August 24, 2026 |
| Deadline | September 7, 2026 |
| Shortlist | September 15, 2026 |
| Winners announced | September 18, 2026 |
| Award presentation | September 21, 2026 |
Scholarships Expiring Soon
Conclusion
The Kiriji Heritage Essay Competition 2026 gives Nigerian tertiary students an opportunity to explore an important chapter of Yoruba history while competing for up to ₦200,000 in prize money.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, prepare an original, well-researched and properly referenced essay of 1,500–2,000 words and submit it before the September 7, 2026 deadline.
Write from your own knowledge, research and perspective—and remember that AI-generated and plagiarised submissions will be disqualified.
