The Omituntun Initiative in Diaspora (OID) has announced the commencement of the Seyi Makinde Annual Essay Competition 2025, reaffirming its commitment to promoting youth empowerment and inclusive development in Oyo State through intellectual engagement.
The annual essay competition invites entries from students across Nigeria, either residents or indigene of Oyo State, however, interested candidates must be up to 18 years and not above 35 years.
According to the organisers, the 2025 edition of Seyi Makinde Essay Competition allows participants to choose from four thought-provoking topics centred on technology, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and youth leadership.
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Participants are expected to explore how their ideas can contribute meaningfully to Oyo State’s ongoing transformation. Hence, the four topics sanctioned by the organisers include: The Role of Youth in Advancing Artificial Intelligence and Technological Innovation for Oyo State’s Development; Holistic Approaches to Advancing Climate-Smart Farming, Promoting Food Security, and Driving Progress Toward the SDGs.
Others are; Catalysing a Sustainable Future through Visionary Leadership, Youth Innovation, and Civic Engagement; and Mobilising Community Action and Clean Energy Solutions for Environmental Sustainability in Oyo State.
The competition which is open to undergraduates and postgraduates of recognised Nigerian institutions, comes with rewards.
The prize money for overall winner is N1,000,000 cash prize, while the first runner-up and the second runner up will get the sum of N500,000 and N250,000, respectively.
Besides, the top 50 outstanding participants will be sponsored to attend the prestigious OID Global Leadership Academy, each receiving a formal certificate of recognition.
BusinessDay finding shows that the initiative geared towards encouraging critical thinking and innovation around governance, sustainability, leadership, and civic participation; core values that align with the developmental vision of Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State.
Interested applicants are to make their submission in Microsoft Word format, in English, with a word count between 1,000 and 1,500 words.
Essays must be original, well-researched, and include references to real-life projects or developments, particularly within Oyo State. Entries must also include valid proof of student status and residency.
The deadline for submissions to essay@omituntunindsapora.org is 11:59 PM on September 30, 2025. Meanwhile, OID warns that any form of plagiarism or use of AI-generated content will result in immediate disqualification as the essays will be judged based on originality, depth of thought, clarity, and the relevance of proposed ideas to Oyo State’s context.
The Seyi Makinde Annual Essay Competition, according to the organisers, continues to serve as a platform for young people to contribute to policy thinking, showcase their creativity, and take active roles in shaping the future of their communities.
