The Boy Who Found Gold National Essay and Video Competition 2025
The Boy Who Found Gold National Competition is open to students, youths, dreamers, book lovers, readers, and people passionate about achieving their dreams. It is part of an education and empowerment initiative to promote a strong reading culture, encourage intellectual engagement, and inspire ambition among young people.
The theme of this year's competition is "The Story of The Boy Who Found Gold: Lessons for Me and My Generation," inspired by The Boy Who Found Gold by Caleb Onyeabor — a powerful story of ambition, adventure, and the pursuit of dreams. Participants are required to look at The Boy Who Found Gold and share their thoughts on its lessons. They can submit either a written essay or a recorded video.
The competition runs from September 30th to December 31st, 2025. A dedicated digital platform has been created for submission of entries nationwide.
This is the first edition and the initiative is going to be an ongoing annual initiative where young readers will be empowered through literature.
Grand Prize Winner
Additional Recognition
Plus other exciting prizes, official national recognition, and certificates of participation for top finalists.
More About the Competition
Literary Competition Details
The Boy Who Found Gold National Competition is a national initiative designed to encourage reading African literature and inspire ambition, vision, and purpose in young Nigerians through the power of literature. Participants are invited to reflect on the theme: "The Story of The Boy Who Found Gold: Lessons for Me and My Generation", drawing from Caleb Onyeabor's inspiring novel The Boy Who Found Gold. Submissions can be in the form of a written essay or a recorded video.
This powerful story of hope and resilience encourages readers to pursue their dreams while promoting values of ambition, purpose, and inspiration. The competition aims to ignite meaningful conversations about personal growth, community impact, and generational change among Nigeria's youth through literary engagement.
Winner: ₦1,000,000
Competition Period: September 30, 2025 – December 31, 2025
Eligibility: Open to students, youths, dreamers, book lovers, and readers in Nigeria
Winner Announcement: Winners will be announced on national media platforms.
How to Participate - Step by Step Guide
To enter The Boy Who Found Gold National Competition 2025, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Read "The Boy Who Found Gold" by Caleb Onyeabor. Only people who got their copies from authorized bookshops/state partners listed here or the official website here or accessed the free copies through selected book clubs nationwide, youth groups, NGOs and libraries will be considered eligible and registered.
- Step 2: Share your thoughts on the powerful lessons from the book for you and your generation (either as a video or written essay).
- Step 3: Upload your final submission to the Submission Portal Here
- Final Step: Winners will be announced on national media.
About Our Distinguished Judges
Our panel of distinguished judges brings together academic excellence, international experience, and deep understanding of African literature and youth development:
Prof. Gerald Ezirim - Professor at University of Nigeria, Nsukka. An experienced educator with a demonstrated history of working in education management, Prof. Ezirim brings academic rigor, extensive knowledge of Nigerian literature, and deep insight into youth development to the judging panel.
Raphael Solomon Davies - Fulbright Scholar, American Diplomat, and Founder, Lapicero Consulting. Mr. Davies combines global expertise, diplomatic experience, and a passion for education and youth empowerment. His international perspective and commitment to African development make him an invaluable judge for this competition.
Dr. Charles C. Anyiam - Veteran Nigerian Journalist, Honorary envoy for a few Ocean Island nations in the United States of America, west of the Mississippi, and Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, The African Times USA.
Our judges will evaluate essays and videos based on originality, depth of insight, connection to the book's themes, and relevance to contemporary experiences. All A.I.-generated entries will be disqualified.
Competition Benefits
Beyond the substantial cash prizes to be won, participants in The Boy Who Found Gold National Competition will:
- Develop critical thinking and analytical writing or video presentation skills
- Engage deeply with inspiring African literature
- Gain national recognition for schools and alma maters of winners
- Connect with a community of ambitious young Nigerians
- Showcase their writing or video creation talents on a national stage
- Access networking opportunities with professionals, dreamers, and institutions
- Contribute to important conversations about youth development in Nigeria
Sponsors and Partners
We are proud to partner with organizations that share our vision of empowering young Nigerians through literature and education:
