The Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) has opened entries for its National Tertiary Institution Essay Competition focused on artificial intelligence literacy and responsible technology use in Nigeria.
The competition invites students from tertiary institutions across the country to examine how artificial intelligence can serve the public good while addressing the social and governance issues surrounding emerging technologies.
According to the organisers, the essay contest is part of BBYDI’s broader AI Literacy for Everyday People in Nigeria project, which is supported by the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
Participants are expected to write on the topic: “Artificial Intelligence for Public Good: Balancing Innovation, Human Welfare, and Responsible Governance.” The organisers said entries should go beyond basic explanations of artificial intelligence and instead focus on how AI should be developed and governed within the Nigerian context.
“We’re not looking for students who can define artificial intelligence,” BBYDI stated. “We’re looking for students who can argue what AI should look like in Nigeria who benefits, who’s at risk, and what responsible governance actually means in our context.”
The competition is open to students aged between 18 and 30 who are currently enrolled in recognised Nigerian tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, monotechnics and schools of nursing.
Cash prizes have been set aside for the top three essays. The overall winner will receive N400,000, while the second and third place winners will receive N300,000 and N200,000 respectively.
In addition, the top 10 finalists will each receive N100,000 and will be invited to attend the competition’s Grand Finale event with full sponsorship.
To qualify, applicants must submit an original and previously unpublished essay and provide a verifiable student identification from their institution. Participants must also grant BBYDI the right to publish or reference their essays in its publications, learning resources, advocacy materials and impact reports, with proper attribution.
Entries must be written in English and should be between 1,200 and 1,500 words. The organisers specified that submissions must be formatted in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-spaced.
The submission deadline for the competition is April 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM WAT, and the organisers emphasised that no extensions will be granted.
Interested students can submit their applications through the official form https://forms.gle/TF4FXYTympVnH87M7.
BBYDI is as a youth-led Nigerian nonprofit organisation working on AI literacy, digital rights and responsible technology use across Africa. Among its initiatives is Kemi, an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot designed to support women and girls experiencing technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
