UNDP Launches Essay Contest for Nigerian Students to Drive Sustainable Development

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched the 2024 Undergraduate Essay Competition as part of its Tax for SDGs Initiative, aimed at raising awareness and generating new ideas to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This competition invites Nigerian undergraduate students to propose solutions on how tax policies can drive progress toward the SDGs in Nigeria. The top essays will be adapted into policy briefs.

The main objective of the competition is to engage students in meaningful discourse on the intersection of taxation, trade, and sustainable development. Participants will enhance their understanding of public finance and its impact on social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

Students are encouraged to write on one of the following themes:

• Innovative tax policies and strategies to drive sustainable development and close the SDGs financing gap in Nigeria.
• Linkages between inclusive and sustainable tax systems on environmental sustainability, the digital economy, and trade.
• Strengthening tax systems to combat illicit financial flows in Nigeria and progress toward closing the SDGs financing gap.

The competition is open to all undergraduate Nigerian students currently enrolled in a recognized university or college. Participants must submit their national identification and university identification.

Submission guidelines include:

• Essays should be between 1,500 and 2,000 words, in English, typed, double-spaced, and submitted in PDF format.
• Submissions must be original and unpublished. Plagiarism will result in disqualification.
• The deadline for entries is October 1, 2024, and essays should be submitted electronically via https://tinyurl.com/Tax4SDGs.

Essays will be evaluated based on relevance, innovation, analysis, clarity, impact, and accountability. Awards include NGN 1,000,000 for the first prize, NGN 750,000 for the second prize, and NGN 500,000 for the third prize, along with certificates of recognition. There will also be consolation prizes for other top entries.

The competition was launched on August 28, 2024, with the submission deadline on October 1, 2024, and winners will be announced on October 29, 2024.