Essay Competition FAQs
Find answers to common questions about eligibility, essay requirements, submission, judging, prizes and verification for the Young & Diplomatic 2026 National Essay Competition.
Eligibility
Who can enter the competition?
The competition is open to Nigerian citizens aged 18–29 who reside in Nigeria. Entrants must satisfy all three requirements as of 30 September 2026.
How is the age requirement calculated?
You must be at least 18 years old and no older than 29 on 30 September 2026. Your date of birth will be collected in the entry form and verified if you are shortlisted.
Can Nigerians living outside Nigeria apply?
No. Entrants must currently reside in Nigeria. Nigerian citizenship alone does not satisfy the eligibility requirements.
Will I need to submit identification?
Identification is not required during the initial application. Shortlisted entrants will be asked to provide valid identification confirming their full name, date of birth and Nigerian citizenship. Any material discrepancy may result in disqualification.
Essay Requirements
What is the essay topic?
The topic is “Young People, Artificial Intelligence and Nigeria’s Future in a Changing World”. Your essay should examine the implications of Artificial Intelligence for young Nigerians and propose practical ideas for an inclusive and prosperous future.
What is the maximum word count?
Essays must not exceed 1,500 words. The title and reference list are excluded from the word count. Footnotes and in-text citations form part of the essay and should be included in the word count.
Can I submit more than one essay?
No. Each entrant may submit only one essay. Multiple entries from the same person may result in disqualification.
Which referencing style should I use?
You may use any recognised citation or referencing style, provided it is applied consistently throughout the essay. All sources, quotations, data and borrowed ideas must be properly acknowledged.
Must the essay be original and unpublished?
Yes. The essay must be your original work and must not have been published previously in print or online. The permitted similarity score must not exceed 10%. Plagiarism or misrepresentation of authorship may result in disqualification.
Generative AI and Authorship
Can I use generative AI when preparing my essay?
Limited use of generative AI does not automatically disqualify an entry. However, the argument, analysis and final essay must remain the entrant’s own work. Entrants remain responsible for the accuracy, originality and integrity of everything submitted under their name.
Do I have to declare my use of generative AI?
Yes. The entry form asks whether generative AI was used and requires entrants who used it to identify the tool and briefly explain its purpose. Failure to disclose its use accurately may result in disqualification.
How will authorship be verified?
Shortlisted entrants may be asked to discuss their argument, evidence and writing process or provide further information about how the essay was prepared. Young & Diplomatic reserves the right to disqualify an entry where authorship cannot be satisfactorily verified.
Submission Process
How do I submit my entry?
Use the Apply Now link on the Young & Diplomatic website. You will be taken to the official Google Form, where you must complete the required information, accept the declarations and upload your essay.
Do I need a Google account to submit?
Yes. Google requires respondents to sign in before uploading a file through Google Forms. Your Google account is used to support the upload and submission process.
Which file formats are accepted?
Submit one essay file in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or PDF format. The maximum permitted file size is 10 MB.
What is the submission deadline?
Entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. WAT on 30 September 2026. Entrants are responsible for completing the form and upload before the deadline.
Can I edit my entry after submitting it?
No. Responses cannot be edited after submission. Review your personal information, declarations and uploaded document carefully before selecting Submit.
How will I know that my entry was received?
A confirmation message will appear after a successful submission, and a copy of your responses will be sent to the verified email address associated with your submission. Retain that email as proof of submission.
Judging, Results and Prizes
How will the essays be assessed?
Entries will be assessed using four criteria: Policy Relevance and Originality (40%), Analytical Depth and Evidence (30%), Organisation and Writing (20%), and Grammar, Referencing and Presentation (10%).
What happens if I am shortlisted?
Shortlisted entrants will be contacted using the information provided in the entry form. They will undergo identity and authorship verification before their entries can remain under consideration.
What prizes will be awarded?
The first-place winner will receive ₦500,000, the second-place winner ₦300,000 and the third-place winner ₦200,000. The total prize fund is ₦1 million.
What additional recognition will the winners receive?
The first-place winner will receive a three-month virtual Young & Diplomatic Policy Fellowship. The three winning essays will be published by Young & Diplomatic, and certificates will be issued.
When will the results be announced?
The competition results are scheduled to be announced in December 2026. Winning essays will be published and certificates issued in January 2027. Any necessary updates will be communicated through Young & Diplomatic’s official channels.
Privacy and Practical Information
How will my personal information be used?
Young & Diplomatic will use the information submitted to administer the competition, assess eligibility, communicate with entrants and verify shortlisted entries. The information will not be used for unrelated purposes.
Who will have access to my application?
Application information may be accessed only by authorised members of the organising and judging teams who require it for competition administration, assessment or verification.
Who owns the copyright in my essay?
You retain ownership of your essay. If your essay is selected as a winning entry, you grant Young & Diplomatic non-exclusive permission to publish it with your name and appropriate attribution. Non-exclusive permission means that you remain free to use or publish your work elsewhere.
Where will official competition updates be published?
Confirmed information and any necessary updates will be published through the Young & Diplomatic website and official communication channels. Entrants should rely on those sources rather than unofficial messages or third-party announcements.
How long will my information be retained?
Application records for entrants who are not shortlisted will be deleted within six months after the competition closes. Identification documents submitted by shortlisted entrants will be deleted within three months after verification and the resolution of any related dispute. Winning essays and essential publication records may be retained as part of Young & Diplomatic’s published archive.
Which services are used to collect and store entries?
The application form is administered through Google Forms. Responses are stored through Google Forms, Google Sheets and Google Drive. Entrants should also review Google’s applicable privacy information before submitting.
How can I make a privacy request?
You may contact Young & Diplomatic at younganddiplomatic@gmail.com to request access to, correction of or deletion of your personal information, subject to any information that must reasonably be retained for competition administration, dispute resolution or publication records.
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