The 20th Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition for Secondary School Students in Nigeria has commenced, with entries opening on March 17, 2025, and closing on June 20, 2025.
This year’s competition is particularly special as it marks the 80th birthday of Bishop Mike Okonkwo, the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM).
According to Rev. Anthony Samuel, speaking on behalf of the Corporate Affairs Department, “The theme for this year’s competition is ‘The Nigeria of Our Dreams: Today’s Reality and a Responsible Pathfinder.'” Samuel emphasized that the competition aims to foster critical thinking and analytical skills in students, preparing them for success while contributing to raising the standard of education in Nigeria.
To participate, students must submit an essay (maximum 1,200 words) along with their full name, address, telephone number, school name, class, and principal’s telephone number. Essays should be submitted in Word document format via email to essay@trem.org.
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The competition offers attractive prizes, including a cash prize of ₦1,000,000, a laptop, and a plaque for the first prize winner. The winning student’s school will also receive a desktop computer and a trophy. The first runner-up will receive ₦600,000, a laptop, and a plaque, while the second runner-up will be awarded ₦400,000, a laptop, and a plaque.
Dr. Mike Okonkwo, the patron of the competition, is a renowned Apostle, conference speaker, crusade evangelist, national spokesman for Nigeria, and advocate of balanced Christianity. He established the Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture in 2000, which addresses key challenges facing the nation and proposes meaningful solutions.
As Dr. Okonkwo marks his 80th birthday, the competition serves as a testament to his commitment to nation-building and education. “We are excited to celebrate this milestone birthday of our patron, Bishop Mike Okonkwo, and we look forward to receiving essays from talented secondary school students across Nigeria,” said Rev. Anthony Samuel.