The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched the 2026 National Essay Competition to engage young Nigerians on disaster preparedness, emergency response, and building safer communities.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) invites students and and NYSC Emergency Management Vanguards across Nigeria to participate in a National Essay Competition aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness, disaster awareness, and resilience among young people.

Benefits

Prizes:

  • N500,000 + trophy (Winner)
  • N300,000 (1st Runner-up)
  • N200,000 (2nd Runner-up)
  • Certificates for top 10 entries

Requirements

Who can participate?

• Secondary School Students

• Tertiary Institution Students

• NYSC Emergency Management Vanguards (NYSC-EMVs)

Topics:

• Secondary: My Role in Disaster Risk Reduction

• Tertiary: Climate Change and Disaster Management in Nigeria

• NYSC-EMVs: Technology for Disaster Response: Opportunities and Challenges

Method of Application

Essay should be sent to 

nemaessay@nema.gov.ng

Submission Guidelines

  • Essays should be sent in as word document using Times New Roman, Size 12, as font type
  • Entries should include full name of contestant, category and details of ther school or NYSC deployment
  • Essay must not exceed 500 words for Secondary School category and 1,000 words for other categories
  • Only one entry can be submitted by an individual
  • Entries not submitted on or before deadline and according to stated conditions shall not be considered

Application Deadline: April 15, 2026.