UN SDSN Youth Nigeria National Essay Competition 2025 (₦1 Million Prize)

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Applications are open for UN SDSN Youth Nigeria National Essay Competition 2025. The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Nigeria, in collaboration with The Sterling Team, is calling on all passionate senior secondary school students to apply for the 2025 National Essay Competition — a creative platform that empowers young Nigerians to become changemakers for the environment and climate action.

This nationwide essay competition encourages students to think critically about the environmental challenges in their communities and propose innovative solutions that promote sustainability and growth. It’s more than just a writing contest — it’s an opportunity to inspire real change and shape the future of Nigeria’s green transition.

Essay Topic
“Turning Climate Challenges in My Community into Opportunities for Growth.”

Youth Nigeria National Essay Competition Benefits

Winners will receive a cash prize of up to ₦1 million.
National recognition and exposure for outstanding young environmental advocates.
Opportunity to be featured during National Sustainability Week 2025.
Mentorship and visibility among leading sustainability organizations in Nigeria.

Prizes

1st Prize: ₦500,000
2nd Prize: ₦300,000
3rd Prize: ₦200,000

Eligibility Criteria for Youth Nigeria National Essay Competition:

Open to only current senior secondary school students (SS1–SS3).
Applicants must be enrolled in a public or government-owned school in any state across Nigeria.
Each school and student is allowed to submit only one entry.
Applicants must accurately complete the application form, including the contact information of their teacher or principal for verification purposes.

Submission Guidelines

Essays must be typed, original, and not exceed 1,000 words.
AI-generated or plagiarized content is strictly prohibited; any detected violation will result in immediate disqualification.
Each applicant is required to record and submit a 2–3 minute video presentation of their essay as proof of authorship.
All videos must be recorded in portrait (vertical) format with clear audio and visual quality to ensure fair evaluation.
Submission Deadline: November 14, 2025 (11:59 PM WAT).