SystemSpecs, a Nigerian technology firm, will hold the awards ceremony for its 2025 Children’s Day Essay Competition (CDEC) on Friday, June 27. The event will take place virtually and feature participation from young Nigerians aged 9 to 16.

This year’s theme, “How I Would Use Technology to Mobilise My Peers for a Greater Nigeria,” attracted thousands of essay submissions nationwide. The competition aims to encourage children to explore how technology can be applied to civic engagement and national development.

Now in its sixth edition, the CDEC serves as a platform to foster creativity and social awareness among young Nigerians. According to the organisers, this year’s entries focused on collaborative approaches to tackling national challenges using technology.

The keynote address will be delivered by Oladiwura Oladepo, Executive Director of Tech4Dev, a non-profit organisation focused on digital inclusion and technology education in Africa.

The ceremony will also feature two youth-led panel discussions on the competition’s theme, alongside an adult panel that will examine the role of families, educators, and communities in nurturing innovation among children.

Speaking ahead of the event, Bukola Adeboye, Executive Director, Corporate Services at SystemSpecs, said the competition reflects the company’s broader commitment to youth development.

“We are not just celebrating talent. We are building a generation of holistic children—thinkers, creators, builders—who can leverage technology not only for personal success but for collective impact,” she said.

“This is why our focus goes beyond the essay competition. We are deliberately engaging young minds in deep, transformative conversations around technology, civic responsibility, and national development – regardless of the paths they choose in life. Whether they become doctors, artists, engineers, or entrepreneurs, we want them to understand the unifying potential of technology and their responsibility in driving change. These children are not just the future – they are the foundation of a better Nigeria we are building today.”

SystemSpecs described the initiative as part of its corporate social responsibility, aligned with its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments. The event will also feature music, interactive segments, and will be livestreamed for a global audience.