Nigeria has witnessed substantial economic challenges over the last couple of months and years. Reports and lived experiences of citizens have highlighted unprecedented levels of inflation, sharply rising costs of living, and widespread occurrences of acute hardships by households and individuals across the country. Foreign exchange rates have been characterized by high degree of volatility. Industrial activity and economic productivity have been marred by policy constraints and business environment hurdles, with ripple effects on prices of goods and services. In addition, unemployment continues to be a perennial challenge.
These economic challenges are faced by all Nigerians. But in a country with a vast segment of youth population, the implications of these economic hardships on Nigeria’s young people can not be understated. Nigeria’s young people, as her future leaders, should have a role to play in setting the country’s economy back on the right track. Their voices matter, and must be heard. Their ideas are valid, and must be amplified. As such, this year’s ITET Gem Foundation’s Annual Essay Competition invites Nigeria’s young people to take a seat at the table. We offer a chance for these future leaders, as true gems that they are, to partake in the discourse about Nigeria’s economic present and future. It is an offer to begin to shape Nigeria’s economic agenda, presenting young minds an opportunity to share brilliant ideas and forward-thinking pathways for tackling Nigeria’s economic struggles.
Offered Benefits
Prizes and Rewards for Winners of the ITET Gem Essay Competition
- First prize: N150,000.00
- Second prize: N100,000.00
- Third prize: N50,000.00
Prizes can only be spent on educational costs, including exam registration fees, among others.
Applicants with entries ranked fourth to tenth places will be awarded an Honourable Mention with no prize money attached; but will, together with the winners of first, second and third prizes, be offered a unique opportunity to join the ITET Gem Scholars Programme as top 10 finalists.
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.
Application Process
Essay Topic of the ITET Gem Essay Competition
The topic of this year’s ITET Gem essay competition is “Making Nigeria an Economic Powerhouse: My Ideas for Today and Vision for the Future”. Essay entries should be between 500 and 750 words, and should detail – in no particular order – the young applicant’s perception of Nigeria’s current economic realities, his or her vision for an economically vibrant Nigeria, proposals for beginning to untangle economic challenges today, and what role he or she is willing and able to play (both now and in the future) to actualize those ideas for today and visions for the future.
- To apply for the ITET Gem Essay Competition,
- please submit an essay between 500 and 750 words on the topic “Making Nigeria an Economic Powerhouse: My Ideas for Today and Vision for the Future”
- Your essay should detail detail – in no particular order – the young applicant’s perception of Nigeria’s current economic realities, his or her vision for an economically vibrant Nigeria, proposals for beginning to untangle economic challenges today, and what role he or she is willing and able to play (both now and in the future) to actualize those ideas for today and visions for the future.
All essays should be submitted by email to on or before the deadline 24th June 2024.
Unfortunately, the ITET Gem Foundation is unable to review essays sent through any other medium, and only entries submitted by email will be accepted.
Required Documents:
The submission must also include the following information listed in the following order:
- Full name (Surname first)
- Gender
- Date of Birth (Day-Month-Year)
- State of Residence
- Local Government of Residence
- Name and address of the school you attend
- Current Class
- Awards Received (leave blank if none)
- Any Leadership Positions or Responsibilities Held (leave blank if none)
- Phone number through which you may be contacted (including name and relationship of owner if phone number is not owned by you)
- Full name and phone number of a teacher in your school who can attest to your character
- Full name and phone number of a religious or community leader who knows you and can attest to your character
- Full name and phone number of a parent or guardian who has given consent for you to enter the essay competition.
These additional details do not count towards the word limit.
