Pure Youth Outreach 2026 Essay Competition for Secondary School Students in Osun State – Win Up to ₦500,000

Pure Youth Outreach (PYO) has announced its 2026 Essay Competition, inviting secondary school students across Osun State, Nigeria, to showcase their writing abilities, critical thinking and understanding of issues affecting their communities and the wider world.

Now in its third edition, the competition provides a platform for young people to express their perspectives on important social issues while competing for cash prizes.

The 2026 edition focuses on the theme "The Role of Young People in Global Peace." The competition is endorsed by the Osun State Ministry of Education and will be assessed by a panel of qualified language examiners.

Competition Categories and Essay Topics

The competition is divided into two categories based on students' current school levels.

1. Junior Category (JSS 2 and JSS 3)

Essay Topic:

The Role of Young People in Promoting Peace in Their Communities.

Maximum Word Count: 500 words.

2. Senior Category (SSS 2 and SSS 3)

Essay Topic: Young People as Agents of Peace: Opportunities and Challenges in the 21st Century.

Maximum Word Count: 750 words.

Eligibility Requirements

To participate, applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled in JSS 2, JSS 3, SSS 2 or SSS 3.
• Attend a public or private secondary school in Osun State, Nigeria.
• Submit an original essay corresponding to their school category.
• Submit only one entry.

Competition Prizes The competition offers cash prizes to the top five participants in each category.

Junior Secondary Category

• First Prize: ₦350,000
• First Runner-up: ₦250,000
• Second Runner-up: ₦150,000
• Fourth Place: ₦50,000
• Fifth Place: ₦50,000

Senior Secondary Category

• First Prize: ₦500,000
• First Runner-up: ₦350,000
• Second Runner-up: ₦200,000
• Fourth Place: ₦50,000
• Fifth Place: ₦50,000

All prizes will be paid directly into the winners' bank accounts.

Submission Requirements

Interested students are required to follow these submission instructions:

1. Write the essay by hand using dark ink on ruled paper.
2. Maintain clear margins on both sides of the paper.
3. Include their name, school and contact details on the first page.
4. Ensure the essay does not exceed the prescribed word limit for their category.
5. Scan the completed essay and save it as a single PDF file not exceeding 8 MB.
6. Scan a valid identification document, such as a school ID card, birth certificate or government-issued identification, and save it as a PDF or PNG file not exceeding 5 MB.
7. Complete the online submission form and upload the required documents.

Important Dates

• Submission Opens: 1 October 2026
• Application Deadline: 28 February 2027
• Results Announcement: 1 April 2027
• Prize-Giving Ceremony: May 2027

How to Apply Eligible students can complete their applications and upload their essays and identification documents through the official competition portal.

Official Application Portal: https://pyo.org.ng/competition

Official Organisation Website: https://pyo.org.ng/

Important Information:

All essays must be entirely the original work of the participating student.

Entries involving AI assistance, teacher assistance or any other form of outside help will be disqualified.

Submitting multiple entries will also result in disqualification.

Students outside the specified school levels or those attending schools outside Osun State are not eligible.