Young & Diplomatic is a youth-focused initiative established to encourage young Nigerians to think critically about the national and international developments shaping their future. It provides a platform for young people to examine important public issues, develop informed arguments and contribute practical ideas to conversations about Nigeria’s progress and place in the world.

The initiative begins with the 2026 National Essay Competition on the theme, “Young People, Artificial Intelligence and Nigeria’s Future in a Changing World.” The competition invites Nigerians aged 18–29 to consider how Artificial Intelligence is changing education, employment, entrepreneurship, governance, democracy, the creative economy and public life, while also confronting questions of inequality, ethics, privacy, misinformation and exclusion.

Why Young & Diplomatic?

The name reflects the qualities the initiative seeks to encourage: curiosity about the world, respect for different perspectives and the ability to express ideas with clarity and thoughtfulness. Here, “diplomatic” is not limited to formal diplomacy or foreign affairs. It describes an approach to public discussion that combines confidence with careful reasoning and disagreement with respect.