NBA Lagos Opens Alex Ekwueme Essay Competition 2.0 for Young Lawyers; The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Young Lawyers’ Forum has opened entries for the Alex Ekwueme Essay Competition 2.0.
The competition invites eligible young lawyers to examine judicial neutrality and professional accountability ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
It honours Dr. Alex Ekwueme and offers a ₦500,000 first prize and a ₦300,000 second prize. Interested applicants must submit their entries by 25 November 2026.
Essay Competition Topic
Participants must write on the following topic:
“Reclaiming Public Confidence, Judicial Neutrality and Professional Accountability Ahead of the 2027 Elections.”
The competition encourages young lawyers to explore issues affecting public confidence and the administration of justice. It also seeks ideas on constitutional reform and the rule of law.
Eligibility Requirements
The competition is open only to registered members of the NBA Lagos Branch who are seven years post-call or below.
Eligible applicants must submit their essays individually. Entries must also meet the specified word count and formatting requirements.
Essay Submission Guidelines
Applicants must follow these guidelines when preparing their essays:
- Word count: Between 1,500 and 2,000 words.
- Font: Times New Roman.
- Font size: 12 points.
- Line spacing: 1.5.
- Accepted file formats: PDF or Microsoft Word (.pdf or .docx).
- Personal information: Do not include the writer’s name or other personal details in the essay document.
- Submission form: Provide the entrant’s name, contact details and year of call only in the official submission form.
Furthermore, applicants must submit original work. The organisers will disqualify plagiarised essays and essays generated entirely by artificial intelligence.
Prizes and Application Deadline
The competition offers cash prizes to the top two participants.
- First place: ₦500,000.
- Second place: ₦300,000.
- Submission deadline: 25 November 2026.
How to Apply
Eligible young lawyers should complete the official submission form and upload their essays before the deadline.
Applicants can access the official Alex Ekwueme Essay Competition submission form to submit their entries.
Interested participants should ensure their essays meet all the requirements before submission. They must also submit their entries on or before 25 November 2026.
