Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competition 2026 (3rd Edition) | How to Apply

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competition 2026 (3rd edition) has officially commenced. This national competition is organized by the Nigerian Army to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and patriotism among Nigerian students.

Open to primary, secondary, and tertiary students nationwide, this edition focuses on promoting unity, security awareness, and national development through writing and artistic expression. With a ₦10 million prize pool, the competition seeks to reward exceptional literary and artistic talent across Nigeria.

 In this guide, we walk you through everything you need to know about the Competition and how to apply successfully.

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Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competition 2026 Summary

• Host Country: Nigeria
• Study Abroad: Study in Africa
• Host: Nigerian Army
• Category: Competitions |  Undergraduate Scholarships | High School Scholarships
• Eligible Country: Nigeria
• Reward:  ₦10 million prize pool | Awards
• Deadline: March 31, 2026

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Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competition 2026 Details

The Nigerian Army is organizing the COAS Literary Competitions 2026 with the theme “The NA: The People’s Army, Our Army”. The competition is open to applicants in Primary and Secondary Schools as well as undergraduates in Nigeria.

CATEGORIES

All the categories for the COAS Literary Competitions are open to applicants between the ages 5 – 11 years (primary schools), 12 – 17 years (secondary schools), and all ages (undergraduates) respectively. The Categories are as follows:

• COAS Essay Competition
• COAS Art Competition
• COAS Poetry Competition

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competition 2026 (3rd Edition) is a creative writing and art contest organized by the Nigerian Army to promote patriotism, national unity, and youth development through literature and art. Introduced by the Nigerian Army, it has been held yearly since its launch.

Each edition features a new theme aligned with the Army’s role in national security and development, with competitions across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. So, the 2026 edition marks the 3rd consecutive year of the competition.

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Eligibility Requirements for the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competition 2026

To qualify for the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competition 2026, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Application forms for primary, secondary, and undergraduate must be completed online, printed, duly endorsed, and stamped by the Head of Schools, scanned, and uploaded.
• There would be 2 levels of assessment. An initial assessment to shortlist successful candidates, while the second would be a virtual interaction with a team of assessors before the final selection of winners.
• Must be a citizen of Nigeria.
• Must be enrolled in a primary, secondary, or tertiary institution within Nigeria.
• Must fall within the eligible age categories
• Must submit original work (essay, poem, or artwork) that reflects the competition’s theme “The Nigerian Army: Securing the People and Promoting Development.”
• Each participant can only submit one entry per category.

Although there are specific requirements for each of the categories, kindly check the website below.

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Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competition 2026 Benefits

Participants in the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competition 2026 stand to enjoy several rewards and recognition opportunities, including:

• ₦10 Million Prize Pool: Cash prizes are awarded to the top winners across all categories and educational levels.
• Winners will be publicly acknowledged by the Nigerian Army during an official award ceremony.
• Certificates of Excellence: All winners and outstanding participants will receive official certificates recognizing their achievements.

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Required Documents

• Completed Entry Form
• School Identification
• Recent Passport Photograph
• Proof of Age or Birth Certificate

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How to Apply for the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competition 2026

To apply for the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competition 2026, all interested and qualified participants should follow the steps below:

1. Visit the website below
2. Choose your competition level Primary, Secondary, or Tertiary and the type of entry you wish to submit (Essay, Poetry, or Art).
3. Fill out the online application form accurately.
4. Upload the required documents
5. Double-check all information and uploaded files before clicking submit.
6. You will receive an acknowledgment message or email confirming your successful submission.

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Deadline

March 31, 2026

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