Application is now open for the Ekiti State At 30 Youth Essay Competition 2026.
The competition is open to Ekiti State indigenes aged 18 to 35. The first-place winner will receive ₦1.5 million, a laptop and a certificate.
The competition forms part of activities marking the Ekiti State 30th Anniversary. Young people are invited to share their ideas and vision for the future of the state.
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About Ekiti State At 30 Youth Essay Competition
The Ekiti State At 30 Youth Essay Competition gives young Ekiti indigenes an opportunity to share practical ideas for the state’s development.
The competition focuses on Ekiti’s future over the next 30 years. Participants should explain what they want Ekiti to become by 2056 and the steps needed to achieve their vision.
Unlike a National Youth Essay Competition, the Ekiti State Essay Competition is specifically open to eligible Ekiti indigenes.
The theme
“Ekiti at 30: My Dream and Agenda for the Next Thirty Years.”
Participants should look ahead to 2056 and present practical ideas for improving Ekiti’s economy, education, healthcare, businesses, communities and institutions.
Who Can Apply?
The competition is open to:
- Ekiti State indigenes
- Applicants aged 18 to 35
- Applicants living in Ekiti State
- Ekiti indigenes living outside the state
Essay Topic
Applicants must write on:
“Ekiti at 30: My Dream and Agenda for the Next Thirty Years.”
Your essay should focus on your vision for Ekiti State in 2056 and practical steps for achieving your proposed vision.
The Ekiti State At 30 Youth Essay Competition seeks original, practical and solution-driven ideas.
Areas to Explore
Applicants can focus on one or more of these areas:
- 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 should go beyond identifying problems. Present practical solutions and explain how people and institutions can implement them.
Essay Requirements
Your submission must:
- Be your original work
- Contain 1,000 to 1,500 words
- Focus on Ekiti’s development by 2056
- Present practical ideas
- Provide clear solutions
For the Ekiti State Essay Competition, applicants should explain both their vision and the actions needed to achieve the vision.
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Prizes to Be Won
The Ekiti State At 30 Youth Essay Competition offers prizes to the top three winners and seven other finalists.
1st Place
₦1,500,000 + Laptop + Certificate
2nd Place
₦1,000,000 + Laptop + Certificate
3rd Place
₦750,000 + Laptop + Certificate
Seven Other Finalists
₦100,000 each + Certificate of Distinction
The top 10 essays will also be edited and published in a commemorative publication.
Other Benefits
The competition offers more than cash prizes.
The top 10 participants will have their essays published in a commemorative publication.
Finalists will also receive invitations to the Ekiti Youth Futures Forum scheduled for December 2026.
The strongest ideas from the competition will form part of a proposed Youth Agenda for Ekiti 2056, which will be presented to the Ekiti State Government.
Ekiti State 30th Anniversary
The competition forms part of activities marking the Ekiti State 30th Anniversary.
The anniversary provides an opportunity for young people to reflect on the state’s progress and present ideas for the next 30 years.
Through the Ekiti State At 30 Youth Essay Competition, young people are encouraged to contribute ideas around education, technology, employment, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and governance.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Ekiti State At 30 Youth Essay Competition is September 28, 2026.
Entries opened on September 11, 2026.
Applicants should submit their essays before the deadline.
Important Dates
- Entries Open: September 11, 2026
- Application Deadline: September 28, 2026
- Winners’ Presentation: October 7, 2026
- Venue: Ado-Ekiti
- Youth Futures Forum: December 2026
The winners will receive their prizes at the Ekiti at 30 Future Summit on October 7, 2026, in Ado-Ekiti.
How to Apply
Eligible applicants should prepare their 1,000 to 1,500-word essay and submit their entry through the official competition application portal.
Steps to Apply
- Confirm your eligibility.
- Prepare your original essay.
- Follow the official essay topic.
- Keep your essay between 1,000 and 1,500 words.
- Review your submission.
- Submit through the official application portal.
- Keep your submission details.
Applicants should use official Ekiti State Government information when checking application instructions and updates.
Tips for Applicants
To prepare a strong entry:
- Start with a clear vision for Ekiti in 2056.
- Identify specific development challenges.
- Present practical solutions.
- Explain how your ideas can work.
- Focus on areas where you have useful knowledge.
- Keep your writing clear and organised.
- Stay within the 1,000 to 1,500-word limit.
- Submit original work.
The Ekiti State Essay Competition encourages participants to focus on solutions rather than problems alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ekiti State At 30 Youth Essay Competition?
The Ekiti State At 30 Youth Essay Competition is an essay contest for Ekiti State indigenes aged 18 to 35. Participants will present their vision for the state’s development over the next 30 years.
What is the essay theme?
The theme is “Ekiti at 30: My Dream and Agenda for the Next Thirty Years.”
How much is the first prize?
The first-place winner will receive ₦1.5 million, a laptop and a certificate.
What is the essay word limit?
Applicants must submit an original essay of 1,000 to 1,500 words.
Who is eligible?
Ekiti State indigenes aged 18 to 35 are eligible to apply, whether they live inside or outside Ekiti State.
When will winners receive their prizes?
Winners will receive their prizes at the Ekiti at 30 Future Summit on October 7, 2026, in Ado-Ekiti.
Will the winning essays be published?
Yes. The top 10 essays will be edited and published in a commemorative publication.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is September 28, 2026.
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