Lagos-based graduate school, the Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies, is offering a total of ₦1 million for essays which proffer solutions to the economic recession which Nigeria is currently grappling with. The centre is inviting Nigerian students, graduates, professionals, academics, and stakeholders, to take part in the competition by submitting a written work which identifies causal factors and suggests viable solutions to the country’s ongoing economic challenge.
The essay competition has the theme, ‘Nigerian Recession: Diagnosis and Prognosis’. Its organizers say that they aim to encourage a more fact-based public discussion on the issues surrounding the Nigerian economy and the recession. They hope to steer the conversation on the economic downturn towards finding real solutions and involving people from diverse backgrounds to contribute to this process.
The CIAPS requires that submissions should consist of an essay of no more than 5,000 words and a synopsis of the essay with a maximum of 1,000 words. The entries will be judged by a panel of experts which include political economist Pat Utomi, former World Bank Vice President Oby Ezekwesili, economist and public affairs analyst Henry Boyo, and president of the Nigerian Institute of Management, Munzali Jibril.
The winning entry will be rewarded with ₦500,000; the first runner-up will receive ₦250,000, while the second runner up will get ₦150,000. ₦50,000 will also be given to the fourth and fifth placed competitors.
Essays are to be submitted along with a cover letter containing a brief biography of the writer via the CIAPS website. Entries will be received until November 29, 2016.