Essay Competition 2025 opens with ₦500,000 prizes for Nigerian Students - NAIJA STICK

Essay Competition 2025 opens with ₦500,000 prizes for Nigerian Students 

The competition, hosted by the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan, is held in honour of Fisayo Soyombo, the investigative journalist and founder of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism.m

• The application for the 8th Annual Fisayo Soyombo Inter-Varsity Essay Competition 2025 is now open, offering what organizers describe as “a golden opportunity for Nigerian students” to develop their writing skills, address national issues, and compete for major rewards.
• It continues to attract undergraduates across the country who are interested in public policy, education reform, and journalism.

According to the organisers, the 2025 theme, “Who Fails When Schools Fail? 

• Practical Solutions to Nigeria’s Public Education Crisis,” was chosen to draw attention to persistent problems such as poor infrastructure, limited funding, teacher shortages, and unequal access to quality learning. 

They said the competition “is more than an essay contest; it is a call to action for young people who want to shape Nigeria’s future.” 

Winning entries will be celebrated during the UCJUI Induction Ceremony, a gathering known for spotlighting emerging campus journalists and encouraging media innovation.

• The rewards are designed to support students’ academic and career growth. 
• The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of ₦250,000 and an internship placement at FIJ or a partner organisation. 
• This internship can open doors to investigative reporting skills and industry exposure,” the committee stated. 

The second-place prize is ₦150,000, while the third-place winner earns ₦100,000. 

With a total prize pool exceeding ₦500,000, the competition also offers visibility on UCJUI platforms, an advantage for students seeking opportunities in journalism, scholarships, or freelance writing linked to high value keywords like digital media careers and academic research grants.

• Eligibility is open strictly to bonafide undergraduates in accredited Nigerian universities. 
• The organisers emphasised that the competition welcomes students from all fields, noting that “a passion for social issues or policy development gives applicants an edge.” 
• Applicants must submit a clear scan of their student ID card or an official enrollment document such as a matriculation number confirmation. 
• These documents must be attached as PDFs along with the essay.

How to Apply 

Deadline: is November 15, 2025, 

and students are encouraged to finalise their entries as early as possible to avoid missing out. 

• Essays should be between 1,500 and 2,000 words, typed in Times New Roman, font size 12, with 1.5 line spacing. 
• Applicants should include their name, university, matriculation number, phone number, and email in the document. 

Entries must be emailed to:

ucjunibadan@gmail.com with the subject line FISAYO SOYOMBO ESSAY COMPETITION.