The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is sponsoring the 2026 World Maritime Day Essay Competition to encourage young people in tertiary institutions to engage with important issues affecting Nigeria's maritime sector.
The competition is being organised to commemorate World Maritime Day 2026 and is based on the theme “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”
The competition is open to Year 1 and Year 2 students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria, including students of maritime academies and universities.
Participants will compete for education grants, laptops and award plaques, with the overall winner receiving ₦1,000,000, a laptop and an award plaque.
NIMASA World Maritime Day Essay Competition 2026 Details
Sponsor: Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)
Organiser: SAMUELSON
Eligible Applicants: Year 1 and Year 2 tertiary institution students in Nigeria
Eligible Institutions: Universities, Maritime Academies and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria
First Prize: ₦1,000,000 Education Grant + Laptop + Award Plaque
Second Prize: ₦750,000 Education Grant + Laptop + Award Plaque
Third Prize: ₦500,000 Education Grant + Laptop + Award Plaque
Consolation Awards: ₦300,000 Education Grant each + Certificate
About the Competition
The 2026 World Maritime Day Essay Competition is designed to create greater awareness among young Nigerians about the importance of the maritime sector and encourage students to develop practical ideas for improving maritime operations in Nigeria.
The competition is part of activities commemorating World Maritime Day, an annual observance promoted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its member states.
World Maritime Day draws attention to important issues relating to shipping and the maritime industry, including maritime safety, maritime security, protection of the marine environment, seafarers and other areas of the IMO's work.
For the 2026 competition, students are being encouraged to examine the gap that can exist between policies and their actual implementation and propose ways of achieving better results in Nigeria's maritime sector.
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Who Can Apply?
The competition is specifically designed for students in the early years of tertiary education.
Eligible applicants must be:
- Year 1 students of a tertiary institution in Nigeria; or
- Year 2 students of a tertiary institution in Nigeria.
Students from universities, maritime academies and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria can participate.
Applicants must provide valid proof that they are currently students of their institution.
Essay Topic
The topic for the 2026 competition is:
“FROM POLICY TO PRACTICE: POWERING MARITIME EXCELLENCE”
Participants should develop an essay around the relationship between maritime policies and their practical implementation in Nigeria.
The competition is intended to stimulate critical thinking and generate actionable solutions for bridging the gap between national and international maritime policies and their implementation within Nigeria's economy.
Students should therefore ensure that their essays directly address the topic and demonstrate clear understanding, independent thinking and practical recommendations.
Essay Requirements
Participants must follow the specified essay guidelines carefully because essays that fail to meet the requirements may be disqualified.
Word Count
The essay should be a maximum of 1,200 words, with a permitted variation of plus or minus 10 percent.
Document Format
The essay must be:
- Prepared in Microsoft Word.
- Double-spaced.
- Written using font size 12.
Proof of Studentship
Participants must submit bona fide proof of studentship together with their essays.
The proof should include:
- Letter of admission
- Institutional identity card
Applicants should ensure that the documents clearly establish their connection with their tertiary institution.
Participant Details
The essay should end with the participant's:
- Full name
- Telephone number
- Email address
These details should be included at the end of the submitted essay.
Important Rule on Plagiarism and Artificial Intelligence
Participants are required to submit original work.
The competition guidelines specifically state that plagiarism will not be accepted and that Artificial Intelligence should not be used.
Applicants should therefore write their essays themselves and avoid submitting copied material or AI-generated content.
Students should also ensure that any ideas, information or arguments taken from other sources are appropriately handled in accordance with the competition's requirements.
Prizes to Be Won
The competition offers education grants, laptops and certificates or award plaques to successful participants.
First Prize
The overall winner will receive:
₦1,000,000 Education Grant + Laptop + Award Plaque
Second Prize
The second-place winner will receive:
₦750,000 Education Grant + Laptop + Award Plaque
Third Prize
The third-place winner will receive:
₦500,000 Education Grant + Laptop + Award Plaque
Seven Consolation Awards
Seven additional participants will receive:
₦300,000 Education Grant each + Certificate
This provides an opportunity for a total of 10 participants to receive prizes or recognition.
How to Apply
Applicants are required to submit their essays by email.
Step 1: Write Your Essay
Prepare an original essay on:
“From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”
Ensure that the essay falls within the required 1,200-word limit (+/-10%).
Step 2: Format the Essay Correctly
The essay should be prepared in Microsoft Word, double-spaced and written in font size 12.
Step 3: Attach Proof of Studentship
Scan and attach your:
- Letter of admission
- Institution identity card
These documents are required as proof of studentship.
Step 4: Add Your Contact Details
At the end of the essay, include your:
Name, telephone number, and email address.
Step 5: Send Your Entry
The completed essay and proof of studentship should be sent via email:
CLICK HERE TO APPLY JOIN WHATSAPP FOR MORE
Applicants should ensure that the submission is successfully sent to both email addresses before the deadline.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the 2026 NIMASA World Maritime Day Essay Competition is September 24, 2026.
Late entries will not be considered.
Students should submit their essays early rather than waiting until the final hours of the deadline.
When Will Winners Be Announced?
According to the competition information, winners will be notified shortly after the application deadline.
The date and venue for the presentation of the prizes and awards will be communicated to the winners.
What Should Applicants Focus On?
The competition is intended to encourage students to think critically about how maritime policies can translate into effective action.
A strong essay should remain focused on the topic and demonstrate the writer's understanding of Nigeria's maritime sector.
Participants can consider issues surrounding areas such as:
- Maritime safety
- Maritime security
- Protection of the marine environment
- Shipping
- Seafarers
- Maritime capacity development
- Implementation of maritime policies
- The role of government and regulatory agencies
- Practical measures for improving Nigeria's maritime economy
The most important thing is to develop original and actionable ideas rather than simply describing existing problems.
About NIMASA
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is the apex agency responsible for the development, regulation and administration of Nigeria's maritime sector.
Its mission includes achieving safe and secure shipping, cleaner oceans and enhanced maritime capacity in line with global best practices and Nigeria's economic development objectives.
The agency's sponsorship of the competition provides students with an opportunity to engage with the country's maritime development priorities and contribute ideas through academic writing.
Important Scholarship and Competition Safety Alert
Students should remain careful when applying for scholarships, essay competitions and other educational opportunities online.
Do not provide your BVN on scholarship or competition application forms.
Also avoid anyone who asks you to make payment in order to:
- Submit your application.
- Get shortlisted.
- Guarantee that you will win.
- Process your prize.
- Release your education grant.
- Receive a certificate.
Never share your OTP, ATM PIN, bank password, internet banking login details or card security information with anyone claiming to represent the organisers.
Always use the official application information and verify suspicious messages before taking any action.
Conclusion
The 2026 NIMASA World Maritime Day Essay Competition provides Year 1 and Year 2 tertiary institution students in Nigeria with an opportunity to demonstrate their writing and critical-thinking abilities while engaging with important maritime issues.
Based on the theme “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence,” participants are expected to explore how maritime policies can be effectively implemented and provide practical ideas for strengthening Nigeria's maritime sector.
The overall winner will receive a ₦1 million education grant, laptop and award plaque, while the second and third-place winners will receive ₦750,000 and ₦500,000 respectively. Seven additional participants will receive ₦300,000 education grants each.
Eligible students should prepare an original essay of up to 1,200 words (+/-10%), attach their admission letter and institutional identity card, and send their entries to both designated email addresses before September 24, 2026.
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