Rules and Regulations

Kindly find below more details and mode of entry:

• A call for entry will be announced Monday 19th May, 2025 which will take 4 weeks.
• Submission deadline will be June 19th, 2025; marking commences immediately from 20th June, 2025.
• All entries will be sent online via the registration link on the website.
• The judges will then pick the top 100 best essays that will qualify for the second stage.
• The top 20 candidates will be shortlisted for the final stage where they will be subjected to the final essay writing, thereafter there will be a live interaction with the 20 shortlisted essays by the judges. This interaction is for the judges to ascertain the authenticity of the essays before selecting the top 6 winners.
• Announcement of the winners will be on the official website
• Winners will be awarded gifts at the PENGASSAN Energy and Labour Summit Dinner taking place at Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.
• Only the three winners in each category with a parent will be sponsored to come to Abuja to receive the prizes.

Eligibility and Guidelines

Both categories will be allotted different topics to write upon. Interested participants must be a JSS 1 or SSS 1 by the start date of the new 2024/2025 academic session.

• No entry fee is required
• The competition is strictly for Junior and Senior secondary school students in the 36 states and the FCT, in Nigeria
• All entries must be original works, in English. Each entrant may submit only one essay
• All entries are final. No revisions are accepted.
• Entries should not have been previously published in professional media
• Entries must be from 400 to 800 words in length for SS1 and from 200 to 400 for JSS1
• All entries must be double spaced in Times New Roman 12pt, with numbered pages in one of the following formats – MS Word and Word Perfect. All other formats will be disqualified.
• Essays will be judged based on: Clarity of Expression, Spelling and Grammar, Originality of thought, Depth of Analysis, Relevance to Industry, and Conformity to Competition Rules.
• All essays will be subjected to plagiarism check (software application) to determine originality. Plagiarism and off-topic material will result in disqualification.

Participants are expected to reside in one of the 36 states or the Federal Capital of Nigeria. Thus, the essay will be open to participants from every state in each geopolitical zone.

Overseas participation is not permitted.

Application Process

The competition will be entirely online. Beginning with the first stage of the competition, all interested participants are required to register and submit entries on the website and click on the register icon. Registration and submission will take place simultaneously. Registration and submission of entries must not exceed stated end date as website will cease to accept submissions afterwards.

Application via the website visit 

1. Click on register and fill the form 
2. Upload a means of identification like School ID, or Testimonial or admission letter or Result of previous class 
3. Upload essay (could be handwritten or typed)
4. Submit 
5. Check your email (including your spam) after two weeks to know if you qualify for the second stage