The Nigerian Army is calling on creative young minds across the nation to participate in the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competitions 2026.
This prestigious annual event celebrates creativity and academic excellence by awarding cash prizes worth up to ₦1.7 million to outstanding participants in essay writing, art, and poetry categories — from primary to tertiary institutions.
🏛 Host Institution
Nigerian Army
📚 Category
Competitions | Scholarships | Undergraduate Scholarships
💰 Benefits
-
Up to ₦1.7 million in cash prizes
-
Certificates of achievement for winners
-
National recognition from the Nigerian Army
🌍 Eligible Country
Nigeria
⏰ Application Deadline
March 31, 2026
About the COAS Literary Competitions 2026
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competitions 2026 is themed:
“The Nigerian Army: Securing the People and Promoting Development.”
The competition is open to students across three levels of education:
-
Primary schools (ages 5–11)
-
Secondary schools (ages 12–17)
-
Tertiary institutions (ages 18–24)
💼 Competition Categories
Participants can apply under any of the following categories:
-
COAS Essay Competition
-
COAS Art Competition
-
COAS Poetry Competition
🏆 Prizes and Awards
Below are the detailed cash prizes for each age group and category:
Ages 5–11 (Primary School)
-
🥇 1st Place – ₦250,000
-
🥈 2nd Place – ₦100,000
-
🥉 3rd Place – ₦50,000
Ages 12–17 (Secondary School)
-
🥇 1st Place – ₦600,000
-
🥈 2nd Place – ₦250,000
-
🥉 3rd Place – ₦100,000
Ages 18–24 (Tertiary Institution)
-
🥇 1st Place – ₦1,000,000
-
🥈 2nd Place – ₦500,000
-
🥉 3rd Place – ₦200,000
Each winner will also receive a certificate of recognition, and selected works may be published in Nigerian Army journals and periodicals.
📋 Requirements
General Requirements
-
Applicants must be Nigerian citizens.
-
Entries must be original and free from plagiarism.
-
Submissions after the deadline will not be accepted.
Specific Requirements
Essay Competition
-
Essays must relate to the theme: “Nigerian Army: Securing the People and Promoting Development.”
-
Word limit:
-
Primary/Secondary: Up to 2,000 words
-
Tertiary: 3,000–5,000 words
-
-
Essays must be uploaded in PDF or Word format.
Art Competition
-
Artworks must relate to the official theme.
-
Only painting and drawing are accepted.
-
Each artwork must include a short caption and be scanned or photographed before upload.
Poetry Competition
-
Poems must be original and in English Language.
-
Each poem should not exceed 200 words.
-
Must reflect the main theme of the competition.
🕐 Timeline & Selection Process
-
Two stages of assessment:
-
Initial shortlisting of entries.
-
Virtual interview with assessors for finalists.
-
-
Winners will be notified through email, their schools, and published on the official competition page.
-
Cash prizes and certificates will be presented at a special award ceremony organized by the Nigerian Army.
📌 How to Apply
Follow the steps below to submit your entry:
-
Visit the official competition website.
-
Select your category — Essay, Art, or Poetry.
-
Complete the online registration form.
-
Upload your entry and supporting documents before the deadline.
-
Ensure all submissions are endorsed by your Head of School (for primary and secondary categories).
📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026
