Nigerian undergraduate students now have a chance to share ideas that can help improve governance and rebuild trust in the country’s institutions. Applications are now open for the 2026 Policy Challenge, a national competition designed for young thinkers, innovators, and future leaders in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The theme for this year’s edition is “Rebuilding Trust in the Nigerian State: Institutional Reforms for Legitimacy, Effectiveness and Inclusive Governance.”
The Policy Challenge gives students the opportunity to develop practical and well-researched policy ideas that can address important governance and development issues in Nigeria. Outstanding teams will also receive cash prizes and national recognition.
The winner of the competition will receive ₦2 million, while the second-place team will get ₦1 million. The third-place team will receive ₦750,000. Other prizes may also be awarded during the competition.
Eligibility Criteria
The competition is open to undergraduate students currently enrolled in a Nigerian tertiary institution during the 2025/2026 academic session. Both full-time and part-time students are eligible to apply.
Applicants must also be at least 18 years old by August 2026.
Students are required to apply as a team. Each team must have a minimum of two members and a maximum of four members. All team members must come from the same tertiary institution.
Shortlisted finalists must also be available to attend the Policy Conference in Abuja on August 12, 2026.
Submission Guidelines
Teams are expected to submit a policy proposal in either PDF or DOCX format. The proposal must contain between 2,000 and 4,000 words, excluding references.
Each submission must include:
- An abstract of 250–350 words
- Policy background
- Problem statement
- Two or more policy options
- Recommended action
- Evidence and supporting data
- Proper bibliography and references
The deadline for submission is June 5, 2026, by 11:59 PM CST.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should first download and read the official rulebook, which contains full details about the competition and submission process.
After reading the rulebook, team members should agree on a unique team name. The team leader will then register the team and upload the completed policy proposal in PDF or DOCX format.
A confirmation email will be sent after successful submission.
Interested applicants should apply at www.policychallenge.com before the deadline.
