Nigeria’s youth population represents over 60% of the total population, making them the nation’s most valuable resource. However, young Nigerians face significant challenges, including limited access to quality education, high unemployment, and inadequate entrepreneurial support. Without targeted policies, Nigeria risks losing its youth potential.
The ITET Gem Foundation is committed to empowering Nigerian youth by amplifying their voices and driving change. This year’s essay competition invites young Nigerians to propose a transformative policy to unlock youth potential and drive national progress.
The topic of this year’s ITET Gem essay competition is “A Youth-Focused Policy for Maximizing
Nigeria’s Potential.” Essay entries should be between 500 and 750 words and should include:
Prizes can only be spent on educational costs, including exam registration fees, among others.
Additionally, the winning essay will be publicized to drive policy advocacy and inspire meaningful action towards implementing impactful youth-focused policies in Nigeria.
Furthermore, winners of the competition will become part of the ITET Gem Mentorship Program, gaining access to guidance from experienced professionals to support their educational and career aspirations.
Among other things, benefits of joining the ITET Gem Scholars Programme include access to the ITET Gem Foundation’s Mentorship Initiative which pairs students with inspiring mentors who are professionals in the fields and career paths relevant to each student’s career interests, as well as exclusive access to special events, resources, training, information, and other opportunities not open to the general public.
Mentors and Resource Persons on the ITET Gem Scholars Programme are seasoned professionals with impactful, fulfilling careers, and have the right sets of skills, knowledge, capabilities and experience to help you make the right choices and secure access the right opportunities to make your educational and career goals attainable.
To be eligible to submit an essay entry for the ITET Gem Essay Competition, you must be:
1. Be Nigerian and reside in Nigeria.
2. Be below 18 years of age at the time of submission.
3. Be reachable by phone (either their own or a guardian’s number). If a student does not have a
phone, the alternate contact will be utilized.
4. Have access to an email account for submission.
5. Be a registered SS1, SS2, or SS3 student in a recognized secondary school. are also eligible to apply.
To apply for the ITET Gem Essay Competition,
These additional details do not count towards the word limit.
Entries missing any of the above details will be disqualified. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted within five (5) weeks after the deadline.
The ITET Gem Foundation looks forward to receiving insightful essays and empowering young Nigerians to shape policies that will drive progress for themselves and the nation.
