By Deborah Idowu
In a strategic move to spark critical conversations around gender and social conditioning, Boys Without Borders Nigeria (BWB NG), in partnership with Writinova, has officially announced the 2026 edition of the Chidera Anushiem Essay Competition.
The initiative, supported by philanthropist Chidera Anushiem, forms a central part of the organisation’s annual International Day of the Boy-child (IDBC) campaign.
With a theme that cuts straight into the roots of societal conditioning: “Equality Begins at Home: How Family and Upbringing Shape Attitudes Toward Gender”, the competition seeks to interrogate how early domestic environments influence perceptions of gender roles among young Nigerian men. It is, in many ways, less of a writing contest and more of an ideological audit; one that places the Nigerian home under a reflective and perhaps uncomfortable, spotlight.
The competition, which opened for submissions on April 4, will run until April 22, 2026. It is exclusively open to male undergraduate students in Nigerian tertiary institutions, a criterion that aligns with BWB NG’s broader focus on engaging boys and young men in conversations about masculinity, equity and social responsibility.
The top three winners will receive cash prizes of ₦70,000, ₦50,000, and ₦30,000 respectively, while the top five will receive consolation prizes. However, beyond the financial appeal lies a deeper value proposition: intellectual visibility and participation in a national dialogue that is steadily gaining urgency.
The competition guidelines reflect a strong emphasis on credibility and fairness. Essays must fall within a word count of 800 to 1000 words and must be original, with zero tolerance for plagiarism. To preserve objectivity in the grading process, entrants are instructed not to include their names or institutional affiliations in the essay document. Instead, identification details, including a valid student ID or equivalent, are to be submitted separately via the official form. The only accepted mode of submission is through this link https://bit.ly/CAEC2026
Participants are also required to follow Writinova (@writinova) and Boys Without Borders NG (@boyswithoutbordersng) on Instagram and upload proof as part of their submission. Importantly, the competition is not open to members of Boys Without Borders Nigeria or its campus affiliates.
From a wider lens, the essay competition arrives at a time when conversations about gender equality in Nigeria are evolving, yet often remain polarised. By directing attention to the family unit, the first site of socialisation, the organisers are effectively reframing the discourse. The message is clear: before policies, before activism, before public rhetoric, there is the home. And in that home, values are not just taught; they are absorbed, mirrored, and in many cases, unconsciously inherited.
For student writers, this competition presents a rare opportunity to merge academic inquiry with lived experience. It calls not just for opinions, but for reflection, evidence and narrative depth, qualities that define strong journalistic and intellectual writing. All enquiries and clarifications should be directed to boyswithoutbordersng@gmail.com
