Thousands of young Nigerians are proving that the future of transportation may not be shaped solely by policymakers, engineers, or technology giants, but also by schoolchildren armed with bold ideas, curiosity, and a vision for a better Nigeria.
That vision was on full display at the 2026 edition of the SystemSpecs Children’s Day Essay Competition (CDEC), where participants from across the country explored how information technology can transform Nigeria’s transportation sector through innovation, safety, efficiency, and accessibility.
The competition, which recently announced its winners during a live broadcast, concluded nearly four months of nationwide engagement, research, writing, and evaluation that challenged children aged 9 to 16 to think critically about one of Nigeria’s most pressing development issues.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Problem Solvers
Now in its seventh year, the Children’s Day Essay Competition has evolved beyond a traditional writing contest into one of SystemSpecs’ flagship Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives.
The programme is designed to nurture a generation of young Nigerians who view technology not as an abstract concept but as a practical tool for solving real-world problems and driving national development.
Each year, the competition adopts a theme that encourages participants to tackle critical national challenges. This year’s topic, “Achieving Safer and More Effective Transportation in Nigeria Through Information Technology,” invited students to examine how digital solutions can improve the movement of people and goods across the country.
Rather than merely identifying problems, participants were encouraged to develop practical solutions and innovative ideas capable of transforming Nigeria’s transportation landscape.
Technology-Driven Ideas Take Centre Stage
According to Bukola Adeboye, Group Head of Corporate Services at SystemSpecs, the quality of submissions demonstrated a remarkable understanding of both technology and transportation challenges.
She noted that many participants proposed innovative solutions spanning road, rail, air, and water transport systems.
“What stood out was how thoughtfully these children connected technology with practical solutions across road, rail, air, and water transportation. Many proposed ideas around commuter safety, digital monitoring, emergency response systems, traffic coordination, and accessibility,” she said.
The competition’s evaluation process also played a crucial role in identifying outstanding entries.
After submissions opened in February, shortlisted participants advanced to a second-stage assessment where judges engaged directly with contestants to better understand their thought processes, motivations, and the originality behind their essays.
Adeboye described this phase as one of the most important aspects of the competition.
“The second-level evaluation remains one of the most important aspects of the competition because it validates authenticity while helping judges understand the heart, background, and transformative story behind each essay. The conversations this year were deeply insightful and inspiring.”
Growing Reach, Greater Inclusion
Since its launch in 2020, the competition has received more than 20,000 entries from children across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The 2026 edition continued that momentum, attracting strong nationwide participation and reflecting a growing enthusiasm among young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national development.
One notable trend has been the steady rise in female participation, which has increased by 36.5 percent over the last three years, highlighting the competition’s expanding inclusivity and reach.
The top 50 finalists in both Junior and Senior categories represented multiple states and regions, underscoring the programme’s national impact.
Celebrating Excellence
In the senior category, Obioha Pharez of The Court Hill College, Lagos, emerged as the overall winner.
Abiodun Ayomide of Oshodi Comprehensive Senior High School, Lagos, finished second, while Eruba Samuel of Deeper Life High School, Port Harcourt Campus, Rivers State, claimed third place.
In the junior category, Idris Zainab of You-Nik International Technopreneurship Secondary School, Lafia, Nasarawa State, secured first position.
Sanu Anjolaoluwa Adaora of Kesbe International School, Lagos, finished as first runner-up, while Dieke Oluomachukwu Rachael of Divine Love Secondary School, Enugu, took third place.
The winners will receive substantial rewards, including cash prizes, laptops, educational resources, and one-year internet subscriptions.
Category champions will receive ₦1 million each, while second and third-place winners will receive ₦750,000 and ₦500,000 respectively, alongside laptops and other educational support packages.
Schools were also recognised for their contributions. Obele Community Senior High School emerged as the winning school in the Senior Category, while You-Nik International Technopreneurship Secondary School, Lafia, claimed top honours in the Junior Category.
Both schools will receive 10 laptops each to support digital learning and technological development among students.
Investing in Future Leaders and Innovators
DeRemi Atanda, managing director of Remita, reflected on the broader purpose of the Children’s Day Essay Competition (CDEC) within SystemSpecs’ commitment to national development.
“CDEC continues to show that Nigerian children are observant, solution-driven, and capable of contributing meaningfully to conversations around national development. For us, this initiative is about investing in future leaders and innovators who can think critically about the country’s future,” he said.
Digital Transformation Beyond the Workplace
Udy Ngele, Managing Director of HumanManager, linked this year’s transportation theme to the wider need for digital transformation across society.
“Digital transformation should not happen only within workplaces. It must also reflect in the ease, safety, comfort, and efficiency people experience daily while moving across the country. Smarter transportation systems ultimately improve productivity, workforce wellbeing, and human capital outcomes,” he stated.
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