Ekiti marks 30th anniversary with N1.5m youth essay prize

The Ekiti State Government has announced a youth essay competition with a top prize of N1.5 million as part of activities marking the state’s 30th anniversary.

The competition, titled “Ekiti at 30: My Dream and Agenda for the Next Thirty Years,” is aimed at giving young Ekiti indigenes an opportunity to propose ideas and practical solutions for the state’s development up to 2056.

According to the Ekiti State at 30 Anniversary Planning Committee, the competition is open to indigenes aged between 18 and 35, regardless of whether they live within or outside the state.

Participants are expected to address issues including agriculture and food security, education, technology, entrepreneurship, job creation, healthcare, infrastructure, tourism, governance, civic responsibility and environmental sustainability.

The committee said preference would be given to essays that move beyond identifying the state’s problems to offering practical and measurable solutions.

It said contestants should explain what needs to be done, who should take responsibility, possible sources of funding and the expected impact of their proposals.

The winner will receive ₦1.5 million, a laptop and a certificate, while the second and third-place winners will receive ₦1 million and ₦750,000 respectively, alongside laptops and certificates.

Seven other finalists will each receive ₦100,000 and certificates of distinction.

The winners are expected to be announced and presented with their prizes at the Ekiti at 30 Future Summit scheduled for October 7, 2026, in Ado-Ekiti.

The committee said the initiative was also designed to identify young writers, thinkers and policy innovators whose ideas could contribute to the state’s long-term development agenda.

It added that the top 10 essays would be edited and published in a commemorative publication, while finalists would participate in an Ekiti Youth Futures Forum scheduled for December.

The strongest proposals from the competition will also be compiled into a proposed “Youth Agenda for Ekiti 2056” and presented to the state government.

Entries opened on September 11 and will close on September 28, 2026.

Interested participants are expected to submit their essays through the state government’s official website.