By Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa
Undergraduate students hoping to emerge winners of the 2026 Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition have been given a September 26 deadline to complete their registration and submit their entries.
The announcement was contained in a notice issued by Mahogany 21st Century Concepts Limited, consultants to the NCDMB for the competition.
The organisers also warned participants against submitting essays generated or substantially produced with Artificial Intelligence (AI), stressing that such entries would be automatically disqualified.
Beyond the use of AI, students have also been cautioned against engaging third parties to write or substantially assist with their essays.
According to the notice, participants are expected to write and submit their entries personally and independently.
The engagement of consultants, essay writers, mercenaries or other third parties to produce entries is prohibited and could lead to immediate disqualification.
The competition will, however, go beyond the submitted essays.
The organisers disclosed that the top five students emerging from the essay competition will be invited to the NCDMB Corporate Headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for a final physical handwritten test.
The topic for the final test will not be disclosed beforehand but will be revealed to the five finalists upon their arrival at the NCDMB headquarters.
The organisers said the additional assessment is aimed at ensuring that the competition maintains its integrity and that winners emerge based on their own knowledge, ideas, writing ability and originality.
With the submission deadline set for September 26, 2026, participating students have been advised to complete both their registration and essay submissions before the closing date.
Students seeking to participate are directed to the NCDMB website, www.ncdmb.gov.ng, for registration and submission.
The notice was signed by Eyinimi Omorozi, CEO, Mahogany 21st Century Concepts Limited.
The organisers urged all participants to carefully study and comply with the competition guidelines to avoid disqualification.