Host: Asido Foundation
Category: Essay Competition
Eligible Countries: Nigeria
Reward: ₦450,000 total prizes | Mentorship | Certification
Deadline: December 14, 2025
No IELTS Required
About the Competition
The Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition is an annual initiative for Nigerian undergraduates to explore topics on mental health. The competition honors the late Jemila Abubakar, founder of the Asido Foundation, who passed away in 2020. The top 15 winners will receive cash prizes, mentorship, and certificates.
The 2026 competition theme is:
“Mental Health and Career Adaptability in a Dynamic Work Environment”
The competition aligns with the Asido Foundation’s mission to promote evidence-based mental health awareness and advocate for accessible care in Nigeria.
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Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
Be undergraduates in any tertiary institution in Nigeria.
Provide evidence of studentship.
Sign the Asido Foundation’s Unashamed pledge (asidofoundation.com/unashamed).
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Prizes
The top 15 winners will receive:
1st Place: ₦200,000
2nd Place: ₦150,000
3rd Place: ₦100,000
All winners will participate in the JAME 2025 Fellowship program and receive certificates.
Winners will be announced in the January 2026 edition of the Interactive Monthly Community Engagement Series (IMCE).
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Essay Guidelines
Word count: 750–1500 words
Attachments required: recent passport photograph, evidence of studentship, and signed Unashamed pledge certificate.
AI-generated essays or plagiarism will lead to disqualification.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their entries via the official application link:
Click Here to Apply
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