Applications are officially open for the 2025 National Essay Competition for Secondary School Students, a nationwide creative writing challenge organized by The Sterling Team in collaboration with the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Nigeria. This initiative offers young Nigerians an opportunity to showcase their creativity, critical thinking, and commitment to environmental sustainability through the power of writing. The competition aims to inspire and empower senior secondary school students across Nigeria to think deeply about climate challenges within their local communities and explore how these challenges can be transformed into opportunities for sustainable growth. It also forms part of activities marking the National Sustainability Week, reflecting the organizers’ joint commitment to youth empowerment, environmental action, and the promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Essay Theme The topic for the 2025 competition is “Turning Climate Challenges in My Community into Opportunities for Growth.” Students are encouraged to explore real issues affecting their communities—such as flooding, waste management, deforestation, or energy scarcity—and propose innovative, realistic solutions that promote environmental resilience and economic opportunity. Who Can Apply The competition is open exclusively to senior secondary school students (SS1–SS3) currently enrolled in public or government-owned schools across Nigeria. Each participating student and school is permitted to submit only one entry, and applications must include accurate contact details of a teacher or school principal for verification purposes. Submission Guidelines Participants must adhere to the following submission requirements: Essay Length: Essays must not exceed 1,000 words. Format: All essays must be original, typed, and submitted in English. Authenticity: The use of AI-generated content or plagiarism will result in automatic disqualification. Video Presentation: Each applicant must record a 2–3 minute video presenting their essay. This serves as proof of authorship. The video should be recorded vertically (portrait format) with clear audio and visuals to ensure fair assessment. Submission Deadline: Entries must be submitted no later than November 14, 2025 (11:59 PM WAT) via the official submission link: https://forms.gle/FxaDHgbsxMTWNRWs9. Late submissions will not be accepted. Evaluation and Prizes All essays will be evaluated based on originality, creativity, clarity of thought, relevance to the topic, and practicality of proposed solutions. The judging panel will consist of environmental experts, educators, and representatives from SDSN Nigeria and The Sterling Team. The top three winners will receive cash prizes as follows: First Prize: ₦500,000 Second Prize: ₦300,000 Third Prize: ₦200,000 In addition to these awards, outstanding entries may be featured on SDSN Nigeria’s official platforms, providing national recognition to talented young writers and climate advocates. Program Benefits Beyond the cash prizes, participation in the National Essay Competition for Secondary School Students 2025 offers several long-term benefits: Skill Development: Students will enhance their writing, analytical, and public speaking skills through the essay and video presentation process. Environmental Awareness: Participants will deepen their understanding of climate change, sustainability, and the SDGs while exploring ways to make a local impact. Leadership Growth: The competition nurtures leadership, creativity, and civic responsibility among young Nigerians. National Recognition: Winners and finalists gain visibility across media and academic networks, positioning them as emerging voices in climate advocacy. Inspiration for Future Opportunities: The program encourages students to pursue further studies and initiatives in environmental science, policy, and sustainable development. Eligibility Summary To qualify for the competition, applicants must: Be Nigerian citizens currently residing in the country. Be enrolled in a public or government-owned senior secondary school (SS1–SS3). Demonstrate a strong interest in environmental issues and sustainable development. Commit to producing original work and participating fully in the essay and video submission process. Host and Organizers The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Nigeria, in collaboration with The Sterling Team, organizes this competition as part of its broader efforts to engage youth in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 13: Climate Action and Goal 4: Quality Education. The initiative underscores the importance of empowering young Nigerians as future leaders and innovators capable of shaping the country’s sustainable development agenda. How to Apply Interested students should submit their essays and accompanying video presentations through the official application link below:Apply Here Applicants are advised to complete the form carefully, ensuring that all personal and school details are accurate. Only one entry per student will be accepted. Important Dates Application Opens: Ongoing Submission Deadline: November 14, 2025 (11:59 PM WAT) Announcement of Winners: To be communicated via official SDSN Nigeria platforms Contact Information For further inquiries or clarifications, students, teachers, or school administrators may contact the SDSN Nigeria Project Team via email at nigeria@sdsnyouth.org. Call to action The UN SDSN Youth Nigeria National Essay Competition 2025 provides an exciting and empowering platform for young Nigerians to contribute to the national dialogue on climate action and sustainability. By participating, students not only compete for valuable cash prizes but also develop essential life skills and gain recognition as advocates for positive change in their communities. This competition stands as a call to action for young minds to transform local challenges into opportunities for growth—proving that the future of Nigeria’s sustainable development lies in the creativity, resilience, and vision of its youth. For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the awarding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding