As entries for the 2025 edition of the Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Secondary School students in Nigeria commenced, the prize money for the winner of the special edition, which will mark the 20th in the series, has also increased.
The 2025 special edition offers attractive prizes, including a cash prize of ₦1,000,000, a laptop, and a plaque for the first prize winner.
The winning student’s school will also receive a desktop computer and a trophy. The first runner-up will receive ₦600,000, a laptop, and a plaque, while the second runner-up will be awarded ₦400,000, a laptop, and a plaque.
Entries for the special edition, which opened on March 17, 2025, will come to a close on June 20, 2025.
This year’s competition is particularly special as it marks the 80th birthday of Bishop Mike Okonkwo, the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM).
According to Rev. Anthony Samuel, speaking on behalf of the Corporate Affairs Department, “The theme for this year’s competition is ‘The Nigeria of Our Dreams: Today’s Reality and a Responsible Pathfinder.”
Rev. Samuel emphasized that the competition aims to foster critical thinking and analytical skills in students, preparing them for success while contributing to raising the standard of education in Nigeria.
To participate, students must submit an essay (maximum 1,200 words) along with their full name, address, telephone number, school name, class, and principal’s telephone number. Essays should be submitted in Word document format via email to essay@trem.org.
Dr. Mike Okonkwo, the patron of the competition, is a renowned Apostle, conference speaker, crusade evangelist, national spokesman for Nigeria, and advocate of balanced Christianity.
He established the Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture in 2000, which addresses key challenges facing the nation and proposes meaningful solutions.
As Dr. Okonkwo marks his 80th birthday, the competition serves as a testament to his commitment to nation-building and education.
“We are excited to celebrate this milestone birthday of our patron, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, and we look forward to receiving essays from talented secondary school students across Nigeria,” Rev. Anthony Samuel said.
Past Winners
Olaoye Flourish of Christ the King International School emerged as the winner of the 2024/19th edition of the essay competition.
Ike Destiny, a student of VIK International School, Akere, Alagbado, Ogun State won the 18th edition.
A final year Senior Secondary School student from the State Senior High School in Ikeja, Ayeni Oluwanifemi Bright won the 17th edition in 2023.
