The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has extended a strategic call to Nigerian youths to showcase their creativity, sharpen their intellectual capacity, and contribute forward-looking ideas capable of shaping the future of air operations through the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Literary Competition. This initiative reflects the Nigerian Air Force’s continued commitment to youth development, intellectual growth, and national progress through knowledge-driven engagement.
About Chief of the Air Staff COMPETITION
The competition is designed to promote youth engagement, informed advocacy, and innovative thinking, while nurturing talents that can contribute meaningfully to national development and security. It serves as a platform where young Nigerians can channel their ideas into constructive outputs that align with national priorities.
Initiated at the behest of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the 2025/2026 edition provides a dynamic platform for young Nigerians to express ideas, perspectives, and creative interpretations on contemporary security and technology-related issues. It also encourages participants to think critically about the role of technology in safeguarding national airspace.
Through participation in three categories; Essay, Art, and Poetry, the competition encourages critical thinking and creative expression, while stimulating interest in emerging technologies and fostering a culture of innovation aligned with the evolving demands of modern airpower.
Anchored on the theme, “Optimising Emerging Technologies for Enhanced Air Operations,” the initiative underscores the NAF’s deliberate drive to harness cutting-edge technologies to improve operational effectiveness and prepare for future security challenges. Beyond competition, it is structured to inspire informed youth advocacy, strengthen civil–military relations, and empower young Nigerians as active stakeholders in national security and technological advancement. Interested participants are advised to consult the accompanying flyer or poster for detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria, and submission requirements.
Entry Requirements
CAS ESSAY COMPETITION
• Applicable to tertiary institutions only.
• Tertiary applicants must be between 18-24 years old.
• The topic for the essay writeup should be coined from the NAF Day 2026 theme.
• The length of the essay should not exceed 2,000 words.
• The essay should be the original thoughts of the writer.
• Essay must be uploaded to the portal: nafcaslc.airforce.mil.ng not later than 28 February 2026.
• When filling the form, provide a valid phone number and email address the applicant can be reached on.
• Passport photograph to be uploaded should be in jpg, jpeg, or png format and must not exceed 150kb in size.
• Literary file to be uploaded must be in PDF format and must not exceed 1mb in size.
PRIZES
• 1st – N2,000,000
• 2nd – N1,500,000
• 3rd – N1,000,000
CAS POETRY COMPETITION
• Applicable to secondary schools only.
• Secondary applicants must be between 12-17 years old.
• The poem must have bearing with the NAF Day 2026 theme, and should be original.
• The length of the poem should not exceed 300 words.
• The poem must be in English language.
• Poem must be uploaded to the portal: airforce.mil.ng not later than 28 February 2026.
• When filling the form, provide a valid phone number and email address the applicant can be reached on.
• Passport photograph to be uploaded should be in jpg, jpeg, or png format and must not exceed 150kb in size.
• Literary file to be uploaded must be in PDF format and must not exceed 1mb in size.
PRIZES
• 1st – N1,500,000
• 2nd – N1,250,000
• 3rd – N1,000,000
CAS ART COMPETITION
• Applicable to primary schools only.
• Primary applicants must be between 5-11 years old.
• Art work must have bearing with the NAF Day 2026 theme, original (not to have been published) and limited to only painting and drawing.
• Art work should be submitted with a short caption or title.
• The art work should be the original thoughts of the writer.
• Art work must be uploaded to the portal: nafcaslc.airforce.mil.ng not later than 28 February 26.
• When filling the form, provide a valid phone number and email address the applicant can be reached on.
• Passport photograph to be uploaded should be in jpg, jpeg, or png format and must not exceed 150kb in size.
• Literary file of art work to be uploaded must be in PDF format and must not exceed 1mb in size.
PRIZES
• 1st – N1,000,000
• 2nd – N750,000
• 3rd – N500,000
Entry is open to all Nigerian children/Youth
in Primary Schools (Ages 5-11 years),
Secondary Schools (Ages 12-17 years)
and Tertiary Institutions
(Ages 18-24 years)
ENTRIES OPEN ON 21ST NOVEMBER 2025 AND CLOSE ON 28TH FEBRUARY 2026
Interested applicants should visit the competition portal and apply.
Link to apply: APPLY HERE
