The Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition 2026, organized by the Asido Foundation, is an annual competition open exclusively to Undergraduates of any tertiary institution in Nigeria. The competition honors the foundation’s late founder and aims to promote mental health advocacy. The 2026 theme is “Mental Health and Career Adaptability in a Dynamic Work Environment”. The top 15 winners will receive certificates and mentorship, with the top three sharing ₦450,000 in cash prizes (1st place: ₦200,000; 2nd place: ₦150,000; 3rd place: ₦100,000). The essay must be between 750 and 1500 words, and applicants must sign the Asido Foundation’s Unashamed pledge. The deadline for entry is December 14, 2025.
Jemila Abubakar Essay Competition 2026 Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition 2026 |
| Host | Asido Foundation |
| Category | Essay Competition (Mental Health Advocacy) |
| Eligible Applicants | Undergraduate Students in Nigeria |
| Reward | ₦450,000 Total Prizes |
| Degree Level | Undergraduate |
| Application Deadline | December 14, 2025 |
Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition 2026 Details
The Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition 2026, organized by the Asido Foundation, is an annual competition open exclusively to Undergraduates of any tertiary institution in Nigeria. The competition honors the foundation’s late founder and aims to promote mental health advocacy. The 2026 theme is “Mental Health and Career Adaptability in a Dynamic Work Environment”.
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The Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition (JAME) provides a crucial platform for Nigerian undergraduates to engage with critical mental health issues and contribute to advocacy efforts across the country.
Jemila Abubakar Essay Competition 2026 Benefits
Tier 1: Cash Prizes and Mentorship (₦450,000 Total)
This tier outlines the significant financial and professional rewards offered to the successful applicants.
- Total Cash Prizes: The top three winners share a total cash sum of ₦450,000.
- 1st Place: ₦200,000
- 2nd Place: ₦150,000
- 3rd Place: ₦100,000
- Mentorship and Recognition: The top 15 winners will receive certificates and become mentees in the JAME 2025 Fellowship program, providing long-term professional guidance and networking opportunities.
- Winner Announcement: Winners will be officially announced on the January 2026 Edition of Interactive Monthly Community Engagement Series (IMCE).
Tier 2: Competition Theme and Purpose
This tier focuses on the academic subject matter, required essay length, and the competition’s foundational goals related to mental health advocacy.
- 2026 Essay Theme: The required topic for this year is: “Mental Health and Career Adaptability in a Dynamic Work Environment”.
- Word Count Requirement: The submitted essay must adhere to a strict length of a minimum of 750 words and a maximum of 1500 words.
- Foundational Goal: The competition pays tribute to Jemila Abubakar, founder of the Asido Foundation, supporting their aim to provide evidence-based information and advocacy for mental health in the Nigerian populace.
Tier 3: Mandatory Entry Requirements and Submission Rules
These rules detail the prerequisite qualifications and the strict administrative and anti-plagiarism guidelines for all submissions.
- Student Status: Applicants must be an undergraduate of any tertiary institution in Nigeria and must be able to provide evidence of studentship (scanned copy).
- Pledge Requirement: Applicants must sign the Asido Foundation’s Unashamed pledge (asidofoundation.com/unashamed) and attach the certificate of the signed pledge.
- Plagiarism Warning: Submitting an AI-generated essay or engaging in any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
- Required Attachments: Candidates must attach a scanned copy of a recent passport photograph, evidence of studentship, and your certificate of your signed Unashamed pledge.
Requirements for 2026 Asido Foundation Essay Competition
Eligibility is restricted to current Nigerian undergraduates who adhere to the Foundation’s advocacy stance.
- Academic/Leadership:
- Must be an undergraduate of any tertiary institution in Nigeria.
- Must be able to provide evidence of studentship.
- Study Status:
- Open to students pursuing a degree at the undergraduate level.
- Visa Status:
- Eligible Countries: Nigeria (Must be Nigerian students studying in Nigeria).
- Program Admission:
- Must sign the Asido Foundation’s Unashamed pledge.
How To Apply for 2026 Jemila Abubakar Essay Competition (Step by Step)
The application process is simple, requiring online submission via a dedicated link and careful attachment of all supporting documents.
- Write Essay: Draft your essay on the theme “Mental Health and Career Adaptability in a Dynamic Work Environment”, ensuring the word count is between 750 and 1500 words.
- Sign Pledge: Visit the Asido Foundation website to sign the Unashamed pledge and save the resulting certificate.
- Gather Documents: Prepare digital copies of your recent passport photograph, evidence of studentship (e.g., ID card), and the certificate of your signed Unashamed pledge.
- Submit Entry: Go to the dedicated submission link (as provided on the scholarship webpage) to complete the online form and attach all required documents along with your final essay file.
Application Deadline: December 14, 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who is eligible to apply for this competition?
The competition is open exclusively to undergraduates of any tertiary institution in Nigeria who can provide evidence of their studentship.
2. What is the theme for the 2026 essay competition?
The required theme for the 2026 competition is “Mental Health and Career Adaptability in a Dynamic Work Environment”.
3. What are the minimum and maximum word count requirements for the essay?
The submitted essay must have a minimum of 750 words and a maximum of 1500 words.
4. What is the deadline for submitting the essay entry?
The official application deadline for the 2026 Jemila Abubakar Essay Competition is December 14, 2025.
5. What are the cash prizes awarded to the top three winners?
The top three winners receive: 1st Place (₦200,000), 2nd Place (₦150,000), and 3rd Place (₦100,000), totaling ₦450,000.
6. Is the “Unashamed Pledge” mandatory?
Yes, applicants must sign the Asido Foundation’s Unashamed pledge and attach the certificate of the signed pledge to their submission.
7. What supporting documents are required for the application?
You must submit a scanned copy of a recent passport photograph, evidence of studentship, and the certificate of your signed Unashamed pledge.
8. When and where will the winners be announced?
The winners will be officially announced on the January 2026 Edition of Interactive Monthly Community Engagement Series (IMCE).
9. Will using AI to generate my essay lead to disqualification?
Yes, the guidelines explicitly state that submitting an AI-generated essay or engaging in any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
10. Do I receive anything besides the cash prize if I am one of the top winners?
Yes, the top 15 winners receive certificates and are enrolled as mentees in the JAME 2025 Fellowship program.
