The Francis & Fidelia Ibhawoh Foundation has said that entries are officially open for the 2026 edition of its annual essay competition for undergraduates.

The foundation said that the topic for this year, “AI, Technology & Education for Nigeria’s Digital Future,”  addresses a pivotal moment in the academic history of the nation.

According to the foundation,  “As Artificial Intelligence reshapes global landscapes, the Foundation seeks to spark a critical dialogue on how these tools can be harnessed to foster “smart learning” rather than “smart cheating.” 

Continuing, the foundation said, this year’s competition ” challenges students to explore how innovation can drive development while maintaining academic integrity”.

Key details of the 2026 essay competition revealed that the prize money of  ₦200,000.00 will be given to each deserving winner.

It said further that to be eligible to participate in the essay competition, students must be full-time undergraduates in designated Nigerian universities, adding that the submission window for entries runs from May 1 to May 30, 2026.

The word count  for all essays must be between 2,500  to 3,000 of original words.

According to Gerard Ibhawoh, Chair of the Foundation, “We believe Nigeria’s youth are the architects of our digital destiny.

“This competition provides a platform for them to propose solutions for a balanced, tech-driven future.”