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FISAYO SOYOMBO ESSAY COMPETITION 2026: ₦900,000

Application Deadline: 22 November, 2026

LOCATION: Nigeria

The 2026 Fisayo Soyombo Inter-Varsity Essay Competition is accepting entries from undergraduate students at Nigerian universities. Fisayo Soyombo Essay Competition 2026 offers ₦900,000 in prizes. This opportunity is sponsored by the Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan (UCJ UI)

ELIGIBILITY:

You must be an undergraduate student enrolled at a university in Nigeria.

You must be able to provide a copy of your valid school identity card.

You must submit an original essay addressing the prescribed 2026 topic and comply with the word-count and formatting instructions.

The announcement does not establish eligibility for postgraduate students or students of polytechnics and colleges of education. Applicants outside the stated undergraduate university category should seek clarification from the organizer.

Official Essay Topic

“2027 and Beyond: Do Elections Still Deliver Democracy for Nigerians?”

The question asks entrants to assess whether elections in Nigeria translate into democratic representation, accountability, and effective governance, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections. A strong essay can consider electoral credibility, voter participation, institutions and possible reforms while acknowledging competing interpretations.

Essay Length and Formatting

Word count: 1,500–2,000 words.

Font: Times New Roman.

Font size: 12 points.

Line spacing: 1.5.

Supporting document: A copy of your student identity card.

The published information reviewed does not specify a compulsory citation style or a particular essay file extension. Applicants may contact UCJ UI for clarification rather than assuming an unstated requirement.

Entries are submitted by email to the organizers. There is no separate online application form stated in the announcement.

Confirm that you are an undergraduate student at a Nigerian university.

Write your 1,500–2,000-word essay on the official 2026 topic.

Format the essay in Times New Roman, size 12, with 1.5 line spacing.

Prepare a legible copy of your student identity card.

Attach your essay and identity card to an email addressed to ucjunibadan@gmail.com.

Send your entry by 22 November 2026.

You may use a descriptive email subject such as Fisayo Soyombo Essay Competition 2026 – Full Name, but this is a practical suggestion, not a mandatory subject line stated by the organizer.

BENEFIT:

The top three entries will share a total cash prize pool of ₦900,000:

Prizes₦400,000 (first);
₦300,000 (second);
₦200,000 (third)
APPLY

JAPANESE GOVERNMENT (MEXT) SCHOLARSHIP FOR GRADUATES (UNIVERSITY RECOMMENDATION (PRIORITY/GENERAL))

Application Deadline: 30 November, 2026

LOCATION: Japan

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan offers scholarships to international students who wish to study at Japanese universities under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program.

Science Tokyo recommends the scholarship candidates from among the applicants for International Graduate Program (A) (IGP(A)) to MEXT. Applicants who wish to receive the scholarship must apply for it with the application for IGP(A).

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants must have demonstrated excellent academic achievement with a grade point average of 2.30 (out of 3.00) or above in the last-attended degree program and meet certain criteria.

Applicants must have the nationality of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan. In principle, individuals who have Japanese nationality at the time of application are not eligible. However, persons with dual nationality who hold Japanese nationality and whose place of residence at the time of application is outside Japan are eligible to apply as long as they choose the nationality of the other country and renounce Japanese nationality before the date of their arrival in Japan.

Applicants, in principle, must be 34 years old or younger as of April 1 of the first year of the MEXT Scholarship period.

Applicants must be a graduate of a Japanese university or have academic ability equal or superior to that of a Japanese university graduate.

The field must be the one in which the applicant majored at university or a related field and be one in which the applicant will be able to do research at Science Tokyo.

Applicants must possess proficiency in the English language and satisfy one of the following conditions:

(Hve obtained an English language proficiency test score that is equivalent to CEFR level B2 or higher

Have completed or expect to complete the required curriculum at an institution where all instruction was in English and which satisfies the qualifications for enrollment in a master’s or doctoral program at Science Tokyo.

Have been determined by Science Tokyo to possess a level of proficiency in English that is equivalent to or exceeds the level indicated in (1)

Applicants must be determined by Science Tokyo to be physically and mentally able to pursue their course of studies in Japan.

BENEFIT:

Stipend: JPY 147,000 for master’s students; JPY 148,000 for doctoral students
Education fees: Enrollment fees and tuition will be waived by Science Tokyo. The entrance examination (application) fee will be reimbursed if the applicant is allocated to Science Tokyo by MEXT.
Travel expenses: Air tickets to/from Japan will be provided by MEXT under certain conditions.

APPLY