The Adebiyi Habib Foundation, in collaboration with the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, is inviting students in secondary schools across Ogun State to participate in its Essay/Debate Competition 2026.
The competition is designed to encourage students to think critically about some of Nigeria's most important challenges, including poverty, educational deficiencies, poor healthcare and insecurity. Participants will have the opportunity to express their ideas on how technological innovation can contribute to solving these challenges in a sustainable way.
Beyond the cash prizes and educational materials, the overall winner will receive the opportunity to be recognised as Ogun State One-Day Commissioner for Education, providing a unique leadership and educational experience.
Adebiyi Habib Foundation Essay/Debate Competition 2026
Organizer: Adebiyi Habib Foundation
In Collaboration With: Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
Competition: Essay/Debate Competition
Eligible Students: SS1–SS3 students
Location: Ogun State, Nigeria
Eligible Schools: Public and private secondary schools
Word Count: 750–1,000 words
Deadline: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, by 11:59 PM
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Who Can Participate?
The competition is open to students in Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1), Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2) and Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3).
Students must be enrolled in a secondary school located in Ogun State.
Both public and private secondary schools are eligible to participate, making the competition open to a wide range of students across the state.
Students who are interested in essay writing, debate, technology, leadership, education and social development are particularly encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity.
Essay Topic
Participants are required to write an essay on the following topic:
“Technological innovation is more effective than conventional approaches in combating poverty, educational deficiencies and poor healthcare as sustainable solution in addressing insecurity in Nigeria.”
The topic requires students to examine the relationship between technology, development and insecurity in Nigeria.
Participants should not simply describe technology. A strong essay should explain how technological innovation can help address poverty, improve education, strengthen healthcare and ultimately contribute to reducing insecurity.
Students can also discuss the limitations of technology and compare innovative approaches with conventional methods where relevant.
Essay Word Count
Entries must contain between:
750 and 1,000 words
Students should remain within the specified word limit. The essay should be properly structured, with a clear introduction, well-developed arguments and a conclusion.
Participants should also ensure that their work is original and written in their own words.
Prizes
The competition offers cash prizes and educational equipment to the top three students.
First Prize
₦150,000 cash prize
Plus:
A new desktop computer
The overall winner will also be recognised as Ogun State One-Day Commissioner for Education.
This recognition provides the winner with an opportunity to experience a leadership role connected to the state's education sector.
First Runner-Up
₦100,000 cash prize
Plus:
A new HP colour printer
Second Runner-Up
₦70,000 cash prize
Plus:
A new HP colour printer
The prizes therefore provide both financial support and useful educational technology that can benefit the winning students in their academic work.
Why Students Should Participate
The competition provides students with an opportunity to develop skills that are useful beyond the classroom.
Writing an essay on a complex national issue requires students to conduct research, organise information, develop arguments and communicate their ideas effectively.
The competition can also help students build confidence in discussing issues affecting Nigeria.
For the overall winner, the opportunity to be recognised as a One-Day Commissioner for Education makes the competition particularly distinctive. It gives a student the chance to be recognised for their ideas and interest in education and leadership.
How to Prepare a Strong Essay
Students should begin by understanding the different parts of the topic before writing.
The first area is technological innovation. Participants can discuss examples such as artificial intelligence, digital education platforms, telemedicine, digital financial services, agricultural technology, surveillance systems and other innovations that can improve people's lives.
The second area is poverty. Students can explain how technology can create employment, support entrepreneurship, improve access to financial services and increase productivity.
The third area is education. Technology can help students access online learning resources, digital libraries, virtual classrooms and educational materials that may not be available in traditional classrooms.
The fourth area is healthcare. Students can discuss how telemedicine, electronic health records, health-monitoring devices and digital health platforms can improve access to medical services, particularly for people in underserved communities.
Finally, participants should connect these issues to insecurity in Nigeria. They can explain how reducing poverty, improving education and strengthening healthcare may address some of the conditions that contribute to insecurity.
Students should support their arguments with relevant examples and avoid making unsupported claims.
Suggested Essay Structure
A simple structure can help students stay within the 750–1,000-word limit.
Introduction: Introduce the problem of insecurity in Nigeria and explain the argument that technological innovation can provide sustainable solutions.
Body: Discuss how technology can address poverty, educational challenges and healthcare deficiencies. Provide examples and explain how each area relates to insecurity.
Comparison: Where appropriate, compare technological solutions with conventional approaches and explain why technology may be more effective or how both approaches can work together.
Conclusion: Summarise the main arguments and explain why Nigeria should invest in sustainable technological solutions while ensuring that they are accessible to communities that need them most.
How to Submit an Entry
Students interested in participating should visit the official Adebiyi Habib Foundation website:
CLICK HERE TO APPLY JOIN WHATSAPP FOR MORE
Applicants should follow the instructions provided for the competition and ensure that their entry is submitted before the deadline.
Students should also confirm the required submission format and any additional information requested by the organisers before submitting their essays.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submission is Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Time: 11:59 PM
Students are encouraged to submit their entries early instead of waiting until the final day.
Important Scholarship and Competition Safety Alert
Students should be careful when applying for scholarships, grants and competitions online.
Never provide your BVN on an application form. You should also never share your ATM PIN, OTP, banking password or internet banking login details with anyone.
Be suspicious if anyone asks you to make payment for:
- Guaranteed selection
- Essay competition registration
- Shortlisting
- Prize release
- Special consideration
- Processing your application
Scammers sometimes create fake application forms or impersonate legitimate organisations to collect money and personal information.
Do not pay anyone who promises to guarantee your selection or prize. Always use the official website and verify any suspicious information before taking action.
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