By Tunde Oso

SystemSpecs has announced the winners of its sixth edition of the Children’s Day Essay Competition (CDEC), celebrating the innovation, patriotism, and brilliance of young students across Nigeria. The announcement was made during a virtual event held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

Held annually on Children’s Day, the CDEC is an initiative that not only commemorates the day but also serves as a platform to recognize and elevate the voices of Nigerian children. More than a competition, CDEC is a movement that nurtures ambition, rewards excellence, and fosters purpose in the next generation of innovators and leaders.

Adeomi Adesewa Penelope of Abesan Comprehensive Junior College, Lagos, and Okeke Chukwudumebi Daniel of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, emerged first in the junior and senior categories, respectively. Each winner will receive ₦1,000,000, a brand-new laptop, a one-year internet subscription, and other exciting gifts. The prizes will be formally presented at the CDEC Award Ceremony, scheduled for June 2025. The hybrid ceremony will allow for broad participation, with the official date to be announced soon.

This year’s theme, “How I Will Use Technology to Mobilise My Peers for a Greater Nigeria,” drew over 4,700 entries from children aged 9 to 16 in both public and private schools across all six geopolitical zones—an increase of 33% from the previous year.

In the junior category, Agboola Caleb of Baylen Homeschools, Ogun State, and Yusuf Ridwanullahi Adeleke of Immaculate Heart Senior Comprehensive High School, Lagos State, took second and third places, winning ₦750,000 and ₦500,000, respectively, along with laptops, data subscriptions, and other gifts.

In the senior category, Mbadugha Chisom Ifechi Chukwu of Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Lagos, and Ifewemeh-Ojo Hadassah Ohihioemehen of Kembos College, Lagos, came second and third, with the same prize packages awarded.

Abesan Comprehensive Junior College, Lagos, and Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, were named Winning Schools in the junior and senior categories, respectively. Each will receive ten brand-new laptops for fostering academic excellence and promoting tech capacity-building among students.

Lagos State emerged as the Winning State, producing the highest number of public school entries in the top 100 submissions—highlighting the growing impact of public education on tech literacy and civic engagement among Nigerian youths.

Essays were judged anonymously based on originality, relevance, clarity, and practical application of technology. Judges praised the entries for their boldness and vision for a better Nigeria through innovation.

“For six years now, we have stayed true to one goal: to hear and celebrate the voices of Nigerian children using technology for good,” said Mrs. Bukola Adeboye, Executive Director of Corporate Services at SystemSpecs. “The CDEC is more than a contest; it is a catalyst for transformation—nurturing the dreams, confidence, and critical thinking our nation urgently needs.”

‘DeRemi Atanda, Managing Director of Remita Payment Services Limited (RPSL), a subsidiary of SystemSpecs Group, added: “We are not only proud of the ideas shared by these future leaders—we are deeply inspired by them. CDEC reinforces our belief that young people must be central to Nigeria’s innovation story.”

Many past participants of the CDEC have gone on to pursue careers in technology, leadership, and entrepreneurship, empowered by the recognition and motivation the platform provides.

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality in ICT)—SystemSpecs remains committed to equipping every Nigerian child with the tools, opportunities, and recognition they deserve.

As Nigeria looks to the future, CDEC continues to inspire children to dream big, think deeply, and act boldly. It stands as a collective celebration of the potential of every Nigerian child and a reaffirmation of our commitment to building a better tomorrow through them.

Congratulations to all participants of the 2025 Children’s Day Essay Competition!

SystemSpecs celebrates your creativity, courage, and dedication to national development. The upcoming Award Ceremony in June promises to be a gathering of inspiration, stories, and possibilities.