​In Nigeria, less than half of all school-age girls are enrolled in, and graduate, from school. At Give Girls A Chance (GGAC), we believe that educating girls is the single most powerful investment to shape a better future for Nigeria. We started in 2016 with the goal of increasing young girls’ access to quality education in Nigeria. Our team of dedicated mentors and volunteers work directly with girls in four secondary school in the Abuja area, providing scholarships, mentorships, and guidance. We aim to do this by addressing issues related to lack of access, low levels of awareness of the importance of education, and poor infrastructure of educational institutions.
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In Nigeria, less than half of all school-age girls are enrolled in, and graduate, from school. At Give Girls A Chance (GGAC), we believe that educating girls is the single most powerful investment to shape a better future for Nigeria. We started in 2016 with the goal of increasing young girls’ access to quality education in Nigeria. Our team of dedicated mentors and volunteers work directly with girls in four secondary school in the Abuja area, providing scholarships, mentorships, and guidance.
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EDUCATE
We partner with schools, sponsors, and local organizations to equip the girls with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed
MENTOR
We link the girls in our programs to qualified and capable mentors to improve their physical, mental, and social well-being
EMPOWER
We offer programs and scholarships to improve comprehension and literacy levels and emphasize the benefits of getting a quality education
Our approach is to provide comprehensive support to girls between the ages of 10 and 19 years from low-income families as well as to systematically develop the schools in the communities in which we work.
GGAC Essay Competition
2025 Contest Overview
Celebrate the power of girls’ voices with the Give Girls A Chance 2025 Annual Essay Competition! ​
In recognition of the continued importance of empowering girls to lead change in their communities, we are excited to launch this year’s essay competition. This initiative provides a platform for young Nigerian girls to share bold ideas, inspire action, and contribute solutions to real-world challenges.
This year’s theme focuses on peacebuilding and recovery, encouraging participants to explore how girls can play a transformative role in rebuilding communities after conflict and fostering lasting peace.
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Essay Topic: “The Role of Girls in Building Peace After Conflict in the Community”
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Problem Statement: "After conflicts, communities are left with many challenges. Schools can close, families can be torn apart, and trust between people can often be broken. Girls are particularly affected, facing interrupted education, added caregiving responsibilities, and unsafe conditions. With these challenges, how can girls play a role in helping their communities recover and build peace? How can their ideas, leadership, and actions make their communities stronger, safer, and fairer?​
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Essay Question:
Imagine you are the director of an NGO focused on girls’ empowerment and community development. Discuss how girls can play a critical role in rebuilding peace after conflict in your community.
Outline practical programs or initiatives your NGO could implement to support girls in overcoming these challenges and becoming leaders in peacebuilding. Reflect on how these efforts can help create stronger, safer, and more inclusive communities.
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Eligibility:
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Open to Nigerian girls aged 13–19 years
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The essay must be written in English
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Maximum of 2,000 words
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Essays must be properly cited (plagiarism will result in automatic disqualification)
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Include: Full name, age, class, school, and parent/guardian contact details​
Selection: The Essay will be reviewed by a panel of independent judges. The panel will be evaluating all submissions according to three criteria:
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Quality and strength of arguments
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Grammar and vocabulary
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Overall structure and flow
Number of Awardees: 3
Value of Competition: The essay competition offers recognition and financial awards.
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The best three essays will be published on the Give Girls A Chance website
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The author of the best essay will receive 50,000 Naira. The second and third place winners will be awarded 30,000 Naira and 20,000 Naira, respectively.
How to Apply: Please submit your essay to info@givegirlsachanceng.org on or before February 15, 2026. The finalists will be notified by March 02, 2026, and the awards will be presented virtually or in person (in Abuja).
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​This is your chance to share your ideas on how girls can build a brighter future and lead change in their communities. At Give Girls A Chance, we believe in the power of girls to break barriers and create lasting impact. We look forward to reading your inspiring essays!
About the Competition
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The Give Girls A Chance Essay Competition is implemented as part of the Give Girls A Chance Foundation's effort aimed at increasing access to quality education for the Nigerian girl child. The goal of this Competition is to give young Nigerian girls the opportunity to develop constructive and innovative ideas to address existing development challenges in Nigeria. This eighth edition, competition aims to support the voice and agency of young Nigerian girls, whilst leveraging the ideas and innovations led by young people in tackling some of the challenges facing Nigeria.
Meet Past Winners
2025 First Place
Omoti Princess Alicia (18 years old
Miva Open University
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“When conflict ends, silence does not mean peace. It often means exhaustion. The sound of gunfire may fade, yet fear lingers in classrooms, markets, and homes. Trust is fractured. Schools are damaged. Families are divided. Children grow older too quickly. In these fragile moments, communities stand at a crossroads between renewed violence and sustainable peace.
Girls are among those most affected during and after conflict… Yet history and research reveal something powerful. Girls are not only victims of conflict. They are builders of peace.”
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