At Adeola Oyinlade & Co, a full-service law firm based in Lagos, Nigeria, we are delighted to share the results of the 2025 National Essay Competition, an initiative designed to engage law students from tertiary institutions across Nigeria. This year’s competition invited submissions on the thought-provoking topic: “Taxation and Development in Nigeria: Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Implementation.” The response was overwhelming with approximately 1,000 entries received, and we are immensely proud of the intellectual rigor and passion displayed by participants.
We extend our sincere gratitude to every student who participated in this year’s competition. Your dedication to tackling a pivotal issue in Nigeria’s developmental landscape was truly inspiring. The quality of submissions reflected a deep commitment to legal scholarship and a shared vision for a stronger Nigeria.
We also express our profound appreciation to our distinguished panel of judges, whose expertise and meticulous evaluation ensured a fair and thorough selection process. Their commitment to upholding the highest standards of adjudication was instrumental in identifying the most outstanding entries.
A Note on Originality
During the evaluation process, we observed that some entrants utilized Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in their submissions. We wish to reiterate that the use of AI-generated content is not permitted in the Adeola Oyinlade & Co National Essay Competition. As a firm dedicated to fostering independent critical thinking and creativity among young legal minds, we place immense value on originality. We encourage future participants to adhere strictly to the principles of authenticity and independent thought in their submissions, as these qualities are fundamental to the spirit of the competition.
Celebrating Excellence
Despite this concern, we are pleased to commend the exceptional quality of the essays submitted. The majority of entries demonstrated thorough research, insightful analysis, and a commendable grasp of the subject matter. The selection process was highly competitive, with our judges undertaking a rigorous evaluation to identify finalists who exemplified originality, depth, and clarity in their work.
All participants whose entries adhered to the competition’s submission guidelines will receive a Certificate of Participation in recognition of their efforts.
Looking Ahead
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our participants, judges, media partners, and supporters for making the 2025 National Essay Competition a resounding success. Your collective contributions have reinforced our commitment to nurturing the next generation of legal scholars in Nigeria.
As we look forward to next year’s edition, we invite aspiring legal minds to join us in continuing to push the boundaries of originality and excellence in legal scholarship. Stay tuned for updates on the 2026 competition and let us continue to inspire and elevate the discourse on critical legal issues shaping our nation.
Adeola Oyinlade & Co. is a top commercial and corporate full-service law firm with its head office in Lagos, Nigeria that offers a variety of legal services to a vast range of national and foreign clients.
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