The maiden edition of the Adeola Oyinlade & Co National Essay Competition is organized and sponsored by Adeola Oyinlade & Co., a leading full-service law firm in Nigeria.
The competition is designed to task law students’ ability to analytically discuss a given topic within the ambit of relevant laws, and make sustainable submissions.
Essay Topic
Taxation and Development in Nigeria: Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Implementation
Rationale: Nigeria is yet again on the verge of amending the Nigerian tax milieu through some Tax Reform Bills. Are taxes reflective of the development in Nigeria? Is there a loophole in the chain of policymaking and implementation? Students are expected to answer these questions.
Eligibility
This Essay competition is open to 100-500 level law students in all tertiary institutions (Federal, State, and Private) in Nigeria.
Submission Guidelines
- Submissions are allowed on an individual basis. Co-authorship of an essay is not permitted.
- All essays must be original and entirely written by the applicant. Plagiarism is not allowed. Original.
- Entrants are to submit only one entry.
- Submissions must not exceed 1500 words. It shall not include any pictures or other graphical illustrations. Footnotes are not part of the word count.
- Essays must be in English and submitted in Microsoft Word Format. Font: Times New Roman – Size 12, double spaced; Alignment – Justified.
- All essays must be well referenced using OSCOLA style.
- Entrants’ school and other personal details shall not exist on the manuscript submitted. This is to forestall partiality and promote transparency.
- Submission: Essays should be submitted electronically via email to [email protected]
- Announcement & Update: The announcement of Winners will take place on our LinkedIn platform. For further updates, please follow this link: linkedin.com/company/adeola…
- It is not open to law graduates (There are other competitions scheduled for law graduates and students at the Nigerian Law School later in the year).
Deadline
All essays must be submitted in their complete forms on or before midnight of February 21, 2025.
No late submissions will be accepted.
Evaluation Criteria
Essays will be judged on Originality, Clarity of Expression, Depth of Analysis, Relevance to Topic, Spelling and Grammar, and Conformity to Contest Rules.
Relevance: Alignment with the theme and focus on the role of taxation in achieving the SDGs in Nigeria.
Prizes
Cash prizes and five categories of awards:
- Winner: NGN 300,000.00 (+ Internship at Adeola Oyinlade & Co.) and Publication of Essay on Mondaq
- First Runner-up: NGN 200,000.00 (+ Internship at Adeola Oyinlade & Co.)
- Second Runner-up: N100,000.00 (+ Internship at Adeola Oyinlade & Co.)
- 4th-10th Entrants: NGN 50,000.00 each (+ Internship at Adeola Oyinlade & Co.).
· Certificate of Participation for all participants whose entry conformed to the essay submission guidelines.
Announcement of Winners
The announcement of Winners will take place in March 2025 on our social media platform. Please follow Adeola Oyinlade & Co.
This essay competition will be based on the merit of the submissions of the students. No aspect shall require voting, post sharing, liking, following, or anything that may depend on sheer popularity.
