SystemSpecs Holdings continues to champion youth engagement in technology with its annual Children’s Day Essay Competition (CDEC)—an initiative combining creativity, critical thinking, and powerful rewards. The event stands out as a beacon of hope and innovation, empowering teens to envision and articulate future solutions for Nigeria through technology.
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A Surge in Tech-Curious Youth
This year’s competition attracted 5,000 entries, a remarkable 33% increase over last year’s submissions. Participants, all aged between 9 and 15, embraced the theme “How I Would Use Technology to Mobilise My Peers for a Greater Nigeria”, showcasing broad enthusiasm for technological empowerment across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
Schools across the country, especially public sector and Lagos State institutions, played a central role in the surge. Lagos emerged as the top-performing state, and schools like Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja and Abesan Comprehensive Junior College, Lagos, were crowned winners based on their finalists’ achievements.
Leadership Speaks: A Vision Beyond Rewards
Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Chairman of SystemSpecs Holdings, described CDEC as a crucial platform for nurturing critical thinkers who can channel technology for the civic and national good. “It’s not just about writing essays,” he said. “It’s about preparing young Nigerians to think deeply, speak confidently, and innovate courageously.”
Echoing these values, Bukola Adeboye, Executive Director of Corporate Services at SystemSpecs, emphasised that CDEC serves as more than a contest—it’s a forum for transformative dialogue around youth empowerment, civic engagement, and future leadership responsibilities.
Empowerment Through Prize and Purpose
CDEC rewards offer more than applause—they deliver real tools for success. Winners received:
- ₦1,000,000 cash
- A brand-new laptop
- One-year internet subscription
- Educational resources
Second-place winners earned ₦750,000, while third-place finalists received ₦500,000, all accompanied by tech equipment and support materials. The winning schools were granted 10 laptops each, underscoring SystemSpecs’ commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and bridging tech access gaps.
Voices from the Winners
Junior Category
Adeomi Adesewa, overall junior winner, described her journey:
“Even when I had to rewrite my essay many times, I never gave up. I now know that my words have power.”
Her resilience highlights the competition’s role in fostering perseverance and confidence among participants.
Senior Category
Okeke Chukwudumebi Daniel, senior category winner, shared that the contest taught him the urgency of future readiness and inspired him to dream bigger:
“The future does not wait … a need to aim higher to do more.”
Their reflections underscore CDEC’s impact in building youth leadership, critical thought, and hope.
Prioritising Inclusion & Diversity
SystemSpecs has intentionally made CDEC an inclusive platform:
- 61% of entries came from girls, significantly high, with some states seeing over 90% female participation.
- Entrants included children from orphanages and special needs backgrounds, demonstrating the competition’s reach and inclusive spirit.
By broadening access, SystemSpecs ensures that the competition embodies Nigeria’s rich social mosaic and elevates diverse voices.
A Multi-Stage, Impactful Roll-out
The competition culminated in a dynamic hybrid awards event, blending in-person and virtual participation. It featured panel discussions—both youth-led and adult-moderated—focusing on how technology can elevate peer influence and civic responsibility. Keynote speaker Oladiwura Oladepo, Director of Tech4Dev, highlighted the necessity of peer-driven digital advocacy for national development.
SystemSpecs’ ESG & Tech Commitment
The competition, now in its sixth year, reflects SystemSpecs’ deep-rooted ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) priorities. The company is not just building platforms—it is investing in human capital, nurturing critical thinkers, and creating avenues for sustainable innovation.
Deremi Atanda, Exec. Director of Strategy at SystemSpecs reiterated this mission, proclaiming that the competition symbolises the company’s long-term dedication to home-grown tech capacity and Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
Beyond Essays: Building a Generation of Innovators
CDEC is more than an essay competition—it’s a launchpad for:
- Analytical thinking — Winners demonstrated their ability to connect tech ideas with real-world outcomes.
- Tech literacy — Access to the internet and computing resources gives winners tools to explore further.
- Community influence — Students imagine tech wielded for social good and peer mobilization.
- Equity in tech access — Inclusion efforts ensure no talent is sidelined by circumstance.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for CDEC & Youth Tech?
SystemSpecs is setting the stage for future editions:
- Keep amplifying participation, aiming to exceed the current 5,000+ submissions.
- Maintain strong gender and ability representation.
- Expand the hybrid model to reach broader audiences.
- Track participants’ progress, providing mentorship and resources even after the competition.
Will previous winners return as mentors? Will the competition move into coding, robotics, or other STEM arenas? These are natural directions to explore.
In Conclusion
SystemSpecs’ annual essay competition is not just a contest—it represents a movement. It fuels SystemSpecs youth tech empowerment, driving curiosity, equipping winners with resources, and forging leaders who can harness technology for societal impact. As the organization continues investing in Nigeria’s youth, it’s shaping a generation primed to innovate, inspire, and lead.
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