CALL FOR ENTRIES: NBA-SPIDEL 2025 ESSAY, POETRY & SPOKEN WORD COMPETITION

About this event

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) is pleased to announce the 2025 Essay, Poetry & Spoken Word Competition as part of the activities marking its forthcoming Annual Conference themed “A Banner Without Stain: Justice, Accountability and Development.”

The competition aims to inspire young legal minds to reflect on the interconnection between justice, ethical governance, and sustainable development in Nigeria, while promoting creativity, advocacy, and intellectual engagement through written and spoken expression.

A. INTRODUCTION
NBA-SPIDEL invites entries from Young Lawyers and Law Students across Nigeria for the 2025 Essay, Poetry & Spoken Word Competition. This initiative encourages participants to engage with the theme “A Banner Without Stain: Justice, Accountability and Development” in ways that promote deeper understanding and discourse on public interest and good governance.

B. CATEGORIES OF ENTRY
1. YOUNG LAWYERS CATEGORY
(Open to all legal practitioners called to the Nigerian Bar within the last seven years — i.e., Call Years 2018–2025)
Participants may submit entries in any of the following subcategories:
(i) Essay Writing: Analytical or argumentative essays (1,500–2,000 words) addressing te conference theme or any aspect of justice, accountability, and development in Nigeria.
(ii) Poetry: Original poems (maximum 40 lines) inspired by the conference theme.
(iii) Spoken Word Performance: Audio or video presentation (maximum 3 minutes) creatively exploring the theme.

2. LAW STUDENTS CATEGORY:
(Open to all registered undergraduate law students in Nigerian universities and law faculties)
Subcategories include:
(i) Essay Writing: Well-researched and original essays (1,000–1,500 words) on the conference theme.
(ii) Poetry: Original compositions (not exceeding 35 lines).
(iii) Spoken Word Performance: Recorded presentation (not exceeding 3 minutes) creatively exploring the theme.

C. GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION
All entries must be original, unpublished works reflecting the conference theme.
Each participant may submit only one entry per subcategory.
Essays must be in Word or PDF format, using Times New Roman, font size 12, double spacing.
Poetry entries must be clearly titled, with the author’s name and contact details on a separate cover page.
Spoken Word submissions should be in MP4 or MP3 format (not exceeding 25MB).
All entries must include: Full Name, Institution / Law School / Call Year, Category (Young Lawyer or Law Student), Contact Phone Number, and Email Address.
Submissions should be sent via email to: nbaspidel2025competitions@gmail.com
Subject line: “NBA-SPIDEL 2025 Essay/Poetry/Spoken Word Competition – [Category]”

D. DEADLINES AND KEY DATES:
Deadline for Submission: 5th November 2025
Screening and Evaluation Period: 6th – 18th November 2025
Announcement of Results: 20th November 2025
Award Presentation: During the NBA-SPIDEL 2025 Conference (Opening Ceremony – 2nd December 2025, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State)

E. PRIZES AND RECOGNITION:
Separate prizes will be awarded in each subcategory (Essay, Poetry, and Spoken Word) under both the Young Lawyers and Law Students categories.

1st Prize:
Plaque of Excellence + ₦75,000 Cash Award + Publication in SPIDEL Conference Compendium + Complimentary Conference Registration, Transportation & Accommodation

2nd Prize:
Certificate of Participation + ₦50,000 Cash Award + Complimentary Conference Registration + Publication in SPIDEL Conference Compendium

3rd Prize:
Certificate of Participation + ₦25,000 Cash Award + Complimentary Conference Registration + Publication in SPIDEL Conference Compendium.

All winners will receive official certificates and will be formally presented during the NBA-SPIDEL 2025 Conference in Uyo.
Selected works may also be featured in the conference magazine and official social media platforms.

F. JUDGING CRITERIA
Entries will be assessed based on the following:
1. Relevance to Theme
2. Originality and Creativity
3. Depth of Analysis / Insightfulness
4. Quality of Expression (Language, Structure, and Delivery)
5. Adherence to Guidelines

ENQUIRIES:
For further information, please contact:
Email: nbaspidel2025competitions@gmail.com
Phone: +234 (0) 8072312546, 8036877166, 8037574757, 8063580823
NBA-SPIDEL 2025 Conference Essay, Poetry & Spoken Word Competition Secretariat.

This call represents a unique opportunity for young lawyers and law students to demonstrate intellectual brilliance and creative expression while contributing to national conversations on justice, accountability, and development.

We encourage eligible participants across Nigeria to take advantage of this opportunity and make their voices heard.