The Alex Ekwueme Essay Competition 2026 offers ₦500,000 for first place and ₦300,000 for second place. Entries are open to members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Young Lawyers’ Forum and close on 25 November 2026.
Participants must submit an original essay of 1,500–2,000 words in PDF or Microsoft Word (.docx) format. The competition flyer expressly prohibits AI-generated work.
Who can enter?
The competition is restricted to NBA Lagos Branch Young Lawyers’ Forum members. Being a law student or a member of another NBA branch does not, by itself, satisfy this requirement.
The accompanying entry report specifies that applicants must be registered NBA Lagos Branch members who are seven years post-call or below, with essays submitted individually.
Essay topic
Write on:
Reclaiming Public Confidence, Judicial Neutrality, and Professional Accountability Ahead of the 2027 Elections.
Your essay should address the relationship between public trust, an impartial judiciary and professional responsibility in the lead-up to the elections.
A useful approach is to establish a clear argument, support it with relevant evidence and develop practical recommendations. Keep the discussion focused enough to address the topic within the word limit.
Essay requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 1,500–2,000 words |
| Accepted files | PDF or Microsoft Word (.docx) |
| Originality | Original work only; no AI-generated essays |
| Eligible entrants | NBA Lagos Branch Young Lawyers’ Forum members |
| Deadline | 25 November 2026 |
The published entry report also specifies Times New Roman, 12-point font and 1.5 line spacing.
Keep your name and other personal information out of the essay document. The report instructs entrants to provide their name, contact details and year of call separately through the submission form. Plagiarised entries are disqualified.
Prizes
| Position | Prize |
|---|---|
| First place | ₦500,000 |
| Second place | ₦300,000 |
These are the two prizes listed on the competition flyer.
How to enter
- Confirm your eligibility. You must belong to the NBA Lagos Branch Young Lawyers’ Forum and meet the stated post-call requirement.
- Write your essay. Address the competition topic in 1,500–2,000 words.
- Prepare the document. Apply the required formatting, remove personal details and save it as a PDF or .docx file.
- Obtain the 2026 submission form from the NBA Lagos YLF. The flyer does not contain an application link.
- Complete the form and upload your essay by 25 November 2026.
Check that the form identifies the current competition and its topic before uploading your work. The previous edition’s application link should not be treated as the 2026 entry route without confirmation from the organisers.
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