The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, is inviting young Nigerian creatives to participate in the Creative Minds Contest ahead of the National Adolescent and Youth Mental Health Week 2026.
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The contest is being organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy and the Initiative for Self Esteem Education and Advocacy (ISEEA).
The theme is “Lived Experiences Heard, Real Voices, Real Change.” The contest is designed to encourage young people to use creativity to challenge stigma, inspire hope and promote positive conversations around mental health.
Participants can submit original works in Film, Music, Spoken Word and Visual Arts. Visual Arts entries may include painting, digital illustration, photography and graphic design.
For Film, the submitted work can have a maximum duration of five minutes. The organisers are calling on creatives to use their personal experiences, ideas and artistic skills to present messages that can encourage better understanding of mental health.
The contest offers cash prizes to winners. The first-place winner will receive ₦200,000, while the second-place winner will receive ₦150,000. The third-place winner will receive ₦100,000.
The initiative provides an opportunity for young Nigerians to showcase their creative abilities while contributing to conversations around mental health and wellbeing.
Eligible creatives are encouraged to submit their entries before the closing date. The competition is also intended to give young participants a platform to communicate their experiences and perspectives through creative expression.
Entries should reflect the stated theme and focus on constructive mental health conversations.
Eligibility
The contest is open to Nigerians aged 15 to 35. Submitted work must be original and must not have won an award previously.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should copy and paste https://forms.gle/zCg6wV2iDQBAzY1UA into their browser, answer all the questions and upload their work. The deadline for submission is Sunday, October 5, 2026. Winners will be contacted privately and invited to the dinner scheduled for October 23, 2026, where their cash prizes will be presented.
