The Zeribe Nwosu Foundation (ZNF) hereby launch the ZNF Annual Essay Competition for the year 2024. In this essay, authors are to reflect on their own experience or perspectives gathered in consultation with others to articulate the challenges/issues associated with undergraduate education in Nigeria. Importantly, the authors should suggest possible solutions. The work to be submitted must be original and that of the authors. However, we encourage all authors to use this opportunity to learn to seek feedback from peers or superiors.
The Zeribe Nwosu Foundation (ZNF) Annual Essay Competition is a prestigious academic event aimed at fostering critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual discourse among Nigerian youth. Founded by Zeribe Nwosu, a Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist, the foundation seeks to empower young people by providing them with opportunities for education, mentorship, and personal development.
The essay competition invites students from secondary schools and tertiary institutions across Nigeria to submit original essays on a specified topic or theme. Participants are encouraged to explore diverse perspectives, conduct research, and articulate their ideas in a clear and compelling manner. The competition aims to promote excellence in writing, stimulate intellectual curiosity, and encourage students to engage with pressing issues facing their communities and the nation.
Each year, the ZNF Annual Essay Competition selects a thought-provoking theme that reflects current events, social issues, or areas of national importance. Past themes have covered topics such as youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, education reform, environmental sustainability, and national development. By addressing these themes, participants have the opportunity to contribute their insights and perspectives to ongoing conversations and debates shaping Nigerian society.
The competition is adjudicated by a panel of judges comprised of educators, academics, professionals, and experts in relevant fields. Essays are evaluated based on criteria such as originality, coherence, depth of analysis, and relevance to the theme. Winners are selected based on the quality of their writing, clarity of argumentation, and the persuasiveness of their ideas.
Winners of the ZNF Annual Essay Competition receive a range of prizes and awards, including cash prizes, scholarships, books, certificates of recognition, and opportunities for mentorship and personal development. Additionally, winning essays may be published in prominent media outlets or academic journals, providing participants with visibility and recognition for their achievements.
The Zeribe Nwosu Foundation (ZNF) Annual Essay Competition serves as a platform for Nigerian youth to showcase their talent, intellect, and creativity while contributing to national discourse and social change. Through this initiative, the foundation seeks to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and change-makers who will drive progress and innovation in Nigeria and beyond.
Benefits
PRIZES FOR THE WINNING ESSAYS
1st Prize – N50,000 (Fifty thousand Naira)
2nd Prize – N40,000 (Forty thousand Naira)
3rd Prize – N30,000 (Thirty thousand Naira)
+ 2 Honorable Mentions (at N10,000 each)
*NOTE – Collusion or plagiarism will lead to automatic disqualification
Requirements For The Zeribe Nwosu Foundation (ZNF) Annual Essay Competition
1. The author must be at least an undergraduate in any Nigerian university (private or public).
2. Individuals that would have completed NYSC by July 15 2024 are not eligible to apply.
3. Only one submission is permitted per author.
4. Essays that do not conform to the essay specifications below will be deemed ineligible.
5. Unless permitted by the ZNF, only submissions made using this form will be considered. Unsolicited emailing of the essay to the foundation is not allowed.
Selection Process
TIMELINE
Submission deadline/closing date – July 15, 2024
Result announcement – August 1, 2024
EVALUATION/REVIEW
Each essay will be reviewed by at least two persons who will assign scores (in percent) as follows:
Adherence to essay specifications = 10
Organization/structure/logical flow = 10
Clearly outlined opportunities (with explanations) = 20
Clearly outlined threats (with explanations) = 25
Use of solid examples to buttress points = 10
Grammatical and spelling correctness = 15
Solid convincing conclusions = 10
Evidence of plagiarism = Disqualification
Application Documents
Essay (only MS Word document format is allowed)
Application Deadline: July 15, 2024.