The Policy Challenge 2026 has officially launched, inviting the brightest young thinkers from Nigerian tertiary institutions to submit innovative solutions to the country’s most urgent governance issues.
This competition provides a platform for emerging leaders to voice research-based ideas that could shape the future of the nation’s development.
This year’s edition is driven by the theme “Rebuilding Trust in the Nigerian State: Institutional Reforms for Legitimacy, Effectiveness and Inclusive Governance”.
Participants are encouraged to explore practical reforms that can strengthen public institutions and restore citizen confidence through transparency and accountability.
Funding and benefits
High-stakes rewards await the top entries, with the first-place team receiving N2,000,000 and the runners-up taking home N1,000,000 and N750,000 for second and third places, respectively.
These prizes aim to recognize and empower youth who provide bold, implementable policy ideas.
Beyond financial compensation, the winning team will secure a three-month paid internship to further their professional growth.
Additionally, the top ten finalists will achieve national recognition as their proposals are featured in the official 2026 Policy Challenge Compendium.
Application requirements and eligibility
The challenge is open to undergraduate students currently enrolled in any Nigerian tertiary institution for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old by August 2026 and must compete in teams of two to four members from the same institution.
Teams are required to submit a detailed policy proposal ranging between 2,000 and 4,000 words, excluding references.
The document must include a concise abstract, a clear problem statement, and at least two viable policy options backed by strong research data.
Deadline
The submission window is currently open and will strictly close on May 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
Team leaders must register their team name and members on the official portal before uploading the final proposal in PDF or DOCX format.
Finalists selected from across the country will be expected to attend the TPC Nigeria Public Policy Conference and Award Ceremony.
This grand event is scheduled to take place in Abuja on August 12, 2026, where the ultimate winners will be crowned.
To apply, visit The Policy Challenge call page. Visit our global opportunity page for more.
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