Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition (JAME) 2026 | How To Apply
The Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition (JAME) is an annual national essay contest organised by the Asido Foundation to promote mental-health awareness among Nigerian students. The competition honours the late Jemila Abubakar, the Foundation’s first Programme Manager, who was passionate about mental-health advocacy.
The competition invites undergraduate students in Nigerian tertiary institutions to write on a selected mental-health theme. Winners receive cash prizes, recognition, and opportunities to join the JAME Fellowship for mentorship and advocacy training.
Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition 2026 Summary
- Host Country: Nigeria
- Study Abroad: Study in Africa
- Host: Asido Foundation
- Category: Competitions
- Eligible Countries: Nigerians
- Reward: ₦450,000 pool Prize | Certification | Mentorship
- Deadline: December 14, 2025
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Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition 2026 Details
The Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition (JAME) is a prestigious national essay contest in Nigeria, organised annually by Asido Foundation. Through this initiative, Asido Foundation seeks to honour the memory of Jemila Abubakar, a dedicated mental-health advocate who served as the foundation’s Programme Manager before her passing in 2020.
The essay competition was established in her memory as a way to continue her mission by engaging Nigerian youth in mental-health advocacy, encouraging awareness, research, dialogue, and creative thinking around mental wellness in Nigeria.
Each year, the competition adopts a new theme that reflects contemporary mental-health or youth challenges in Nigeria. For instance, the 2026 theme is: “Mental Health and Career Adaptability in a Dynamic Work Environment.” This encourages entrants to explore how mental health intersects with career growth, job stress, emotional resilience, and adaptation to changing work environments
The competition encourages students to research, think critically, and propose solutions to mental-health challenges in Nigeria. Essays must be original, well-researched, and within the stated word count (usually 750–1,500 words).
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Eligibility Requirements for the Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition 2026
Applicants must:
- Be an undergraduate student in any accredited Nigerian tertiary institution.
- Have valid proof of studentship.
- Write an original essay based on the announced theme.
- Sign the Asido Foundation Unashamed Pledge.
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Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition 2026 Benefits
- Cash prizes for the top 3 winners; total prize pool is ₦450,000- ₦200,000 for first place, ₦150,000 for second, and ₦100,000 for third.
- Certificates of recognition.
- Admission into the JAME Fellowship, which offers mentorship and mental-health advocacy training.
- National visibility and recognition by the Asido Foundation.
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Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition 2026 Required Documents
- Passport photograph.
- Proof of studentship (Student ID or letter).
- Signed Unashamed Pledge certificate.
- Personal details.
- The essay (within the required word count).
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How to Apply for the Jemila Abubakar Memorial Essay Competition 2026
- Click on the Apply button below to fill the form
- Review the competition theme carefully (“Mental Health and Career Adaptability in a Dynamic Work Environment”).
- Do your research: gather credible sources, use relevant data or real-life examples to support your ideas; reflect on what mental health means in Nigeria’s context.
- Draft your essay, ensuring clarity of structure: introduction, arguments/supporting paragraphs, conclusion; all centered around the theme.
- Proofread and polish: check grammar, spelling, flow, and ensure your essay is within the 750–1500 word limit.
- Prepare required documents, passport photo, proof of studentship, signed Unashamed Pledge certificate, and your personal information.
- Submit before the deadline (for 2026: December 14, 2025) at 11:59 PM WAT.
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Deadline
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