Entries open for 2025 Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition

• Winner to receive N1m
Entries for the 20th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for secondary school students in Nigeria have commenced and will run through Friday June 20, 2025.

It is also part of activities to commemorate the 80th birthday of the cleric who is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM). The theme for this year’s competition is ‘The Nigeria of our dreams: Today’s reality and a responsible pathfinder.’

To participate in the competition, students are expected to submit an essay of not more than 1,200 words, stating their full name, address, telephone number, school name, class, and the principal’s telephone number.

In a statement signed by Anthony Samuel, for the Corporate Affairs Department, the essays are expected to be submitted in word document format by email to [email protected].

This year’s edition is a special one as the first prize winner is expected to receive a cash prize of one million naira, a laptop, and plaque, while the winning student’s school will also receive a desktop computer and trophy.

The first runner-up will receive N600,000, a laptop, and plaque, while the school will be awarded a desktop computer. The second runner-up will be awarded N400,000, a laptop, and plaque, with the school also receiving a desktop computer.

The essay competition is part of Okonkwo’s corporate social responsibility initiative, aimed at fostering critical thinking and analytical skills in students to prepare them for success. It also contributes to raising the standard of education in Nigeria.

In his commitment to nation-building, the cleric started the Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture in 2000 to address key challenges facing the nation and proffer meaningful solutions.

Over time, the lecture has become a key platform for influencing government policy, bringing together distinguished individuals to discuss pressing national issues.