Young people of Ekiti State have been given an opportunity to contribute their ideas to the future development of the State through the Ekiti at 30 Youth Essay Competition 2026.
The competition is part of activities marking the 30th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State and is designed to give young Ekiti indigenes a platform to share practical ideas about the kind of State they want to see over the next 30 years.
The essay competition is themed “Ekiti at 30: My Dream and Agenda for the Next Thirty Years” and invites eligible participants to look ahead to the year 2056, identify opportunities and challenges, and propose practical solutions that can contribute to Ekiti State's long-term development.
The competition offers a top prize of ₦1.5 million, a laptop computer and a certificate, while other finalists will also receive cash prizes and recognition.
Ekiti at 30 Youth Essay Competition 2026 Details
Theme: “Ekiti at 30: My Dream and Agenda for the Next Thirty Years”
Eligible Participants: Ekiti State indigenes
Age: 18–35 years
Location: Open to eligible Ekiti indigenes living in Nigeria or abroad
First Prize: ₦1,500,000 + Laptop + Certificate
Second Prize: ₦1,000,000 + Laptop + Certificate
Third Prize: ₦750,000 + Laptop + Certificate
Other Finalists: ₦100,000 each + Certificate of Distinction
About the Competition
The Ekiti at 30 Youth Essay Competition is being organised as part of the activities commemorating 30 years since the creation of Ekiti State.
Rather than simply asking young people to identify the problems facing the State, the competition encourages participants to develop original, practical and measurable ideas for Ekiti's future.
Participants are expected to imagine the Ekiti State they would like to see by 2056 and explain the actions that can be taken today to make that vision achievable.
The organisers are particularly interested in essays that connect a participant's vision with a realistic implementation plan. This means strong entries should go beyond identifying challenges and explain what should be done, who should be responsible, how proposed initiatives could be funded and what results should be expected.
The initiative is also intended to identify young writers, thinkers and policy innovators whose ideas could contribute to Ekiti State's long-term development agenda.
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Who Can Apply?
The essay competition is open to:
- Ekiti State indigenes.
- Young people between 18 and 35 years old.
- Eligible participants living within or outside Ekiti State, including those residing outside Nigeria.
Participants should develop their entries around the competition's theme and present practical ideas for the development of Ekiti State over the next three decades.
Essay Topic
The required essay topic is:
“Ekiti at 30: My Dream and Agenda for the Next Thirty Years”
Participants are expected to envision the Ekiti State they want to see by 2056 and present an agenda for achieving that vision.
The organisers have identified several areas that participants may explore, including:
- 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
Participants are not limited to merely describing existing challenges. The competition places emphasis on practical solutions, implementation and measurable outcomes.
A strong essay should therefore demonstrate a clear understanding of an issue, present realistic solutions, identify the relevant stakeholders, explain possible funding approaches and indicate the expected impact.
Prizes to Be Won
The competition offers cash prizes, laptops and certificates to the leading participants.
First Prize
The overall winner will receive:
- ₦1,500,000
- Laptop computer
- Certificate
Second Prize
The second-place winner will receive:
- ₦1,000,000
- Laptop computer
- Certificate
Third Prize
The third-place winner will receive:
- ₦750,000
- Laptop computer
- Certificate
Other Finalists
Seven additional finalists will receive:
- ₦100,000 each
- Certificate of Distinction
This means a total of 10 finalists will receive prizes or recognition through the competition.
Additional Opportunities for Finalists
Beyond the cash prizes and laptops, the competition provides other opportunities for participants whose essays make it into the final selection.
The top 10 essays will be edited and published in a commemorative publication marking Ekiti State's 30th anniversary.
The finalists will also be invited to the Ekiti Youth Futures Forum, scheduled to take place in December.
In addition, the strongest proposals from the competition will be compiled and presented to the Ekiti State Government as a proposed “Youth Agenda for Ekiti 2056.”
This gives participants an opportunity for their ideas to go beyond the competition and potentially contribute to discussions about the State's long-term development.
How to Apply
Eligible participants can submit their essays online through the official competition portal.
Step 1: Prepare Your Essay
Write an original essay based on the topic:
“Ekiti at 30: My Dream and Agenda for the Next Thirty Years.”
Your essay should focus on your vision for Ekiti State by 2056 and the practical steps required to achieve it.
Step 2: Develop Practical Solutions
When preparing the essay, consider areas such as education, agriculture, healthcare, technology, employment, infrastructure, governance, tourism and environmental sustainability.
Rather than simply listing problems, explain how the proposed solutions can be implemented and the role different stakeholders can play.
Step 3: Visit the Application Portal
Go to the official competition application page:
CLICK HERE TO APPLY JOIN WHATSAPP FOR MORE
Step 4: Submit Your Entry
Follow the instructions provided on the official portal and submit your completed essay before the application deadline.
Applicants should ensure that their submissions are original and that all required information is correctly provided.
Application Deadline
Applications for the Ekiti at 30 Youth Essay Competition 2026 will be accepted from:
September 11 to September 28, 2026.
The application deadline is September 28, 2026.
Eligible participants are encouraged to submit their essays before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.
When Will the Winners Be Announced?
The winners will be announced and presented with their prizes at the Ekiti at 30 Future Summit, scheduled for:
Date: October 7, 2026
Location: Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
Important Information for Applicants
The competition is more than an essay-writing exercise. Participants are being encouraged to think like future policymakers, entrepreneurs, community leaders and development practitioners.
When writing the essay, participants should focus on ideas that are:
- Practical
- Original
- Measurable
- Relevant to Ekiti State
- Capable of being implemented
- Clearly connected to long-term development
The organisers have indicated that preference will be given to submissions that clearly connect vision with implementation, including what needs to be done, who should do it, how it can be funded and the results that should be expected.
Important Scholarship and Competition Safety Alert
Applicants should be cautious of fake scholarship and competition agents.
Do not provide your BVN on scholarship or competition application forms.
Also avoid anyone who asks you to make payment in order to:
- Apply for the competition.
- Get shortlisted.
- Guarantee selection.
- Receive your prize.
- Process your certificate.
Never share your ATM PIN, OTP, bank password or internet banking login details with anyone claiming to represent the organisers.
Always use the official application platform and verify any information before submitting your personal details.
Conclusion
The Ekiti at 30 Youth Essay Competition 2026 gives young Ekiti indigenes an opportunity to present their ideas for the future of the State while competing for substantial prizes.
With a ₦1.5 million top prize, laptop and certificate, as well as additional prizes for other finalists, the competition offers both financial rewards and an opportunity for young people to have their ideas recognised.
The top 10 essays will be published in a commemorative publication, while selected ideas will contribute to a proposed Youth Agenda for Ekiti 2056 to be presented to the State Government.
Eligible Ekiti indigenes aged 18–35 years, whether living within or outside the State, can submit their essays between September 11 and September 28, 2026.
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