Skip to content
Find Scholarships
Find Scholarships
Nigeria Short CourseUndergraduate Fully Funded

Chief of Army Staff Literary Competition 2027 | Nigerian Army COAS Awards

The Chief of Army Staff Literary Competition 2027 offers Nigerian students aged 5–24 the chance to win up to ₦2 million in cash prizes through essay, art, and poetry submissions on the theme 'The Nigerian Army: Securing the people and promoting development'.

November 6, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: May 31, 2027

Quick Overview

Host CountryNigeria
Degree LevelUndergraduate, Short Course
Funding TypeFully Funded
Fields of StudyCreative Writing, Essay Writing, Poetry, Visual Arts
DeadlineMay 31, 2027

Scholarship Overview

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

People Also Checked: AgricTech Undergraduate Scholarship 2026/27 | Nigeria Agriculture & AgriTech (Fully Funded)

Overview

The Nigerian Army has announced the second edition of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Literary Competition for 2027. This national competition invites Nigerian students across all educational levels to participate in essay, art, and poetry categories, with a total prize pool of ₦10.2 million.

The competition runs from Sunday, 1 November 2026 to Monday, 31 May 2027. All entries must align with the official theme: “The Nigerian Army: Securing the people and promoting development.”

People Also Checked: DFC Graduate Trainee Program 2026: Real Estate Career Development in Nigeria (Fully Funded)

Who Can Apply

The COAS Literary Competition is open exclusively to Nigerian citizens enrolled in educational institutions within Nigeria. The competition is divided into three age categories:

  • Primary School: Ages 5–11 years
  • Secondary School: Ages 12–17 years
  • Tertiary Institutions: Ages 18–24 years (undergraduate students)

No language proficiency test is required. The competition welcomes students from all fields of study, including but not limited to accountancy, education, business studies, African and Asian studies, Arabic studies, and over 1,000 other eligible courses.

People Also Checked: IFRA-Nigeria Research Grants 2027: Humanities & Social Sciences Fieldwork Funding

Competition Categories and Requirements

COAS Essay Competition

  • Topic must be coined from the official theme
  • Primary and secondary school essays: maximum 2,000 words
  • Tertiary institution essays: 3,000–5,000 words
  • Must be original work with no plagiarism
  • Upload to dcma.army.mil.ng by 31 May 2027

COAS Art Competition

  • Artwork must relate to the theme
  • Limited to painting and drawing only
  • Submit with a short caption
  • Must be original and not previously published
  • Photograph or scan and upload to dcma.army.mil.ng by 31 May 2027

COAS Poetry Competition

  • All poems must be original
  • Any genre accepted, but must relate to the theme
  • Maximum 200 words
  • Must be in English language
  • Upload to dcma.army.mil.ng by 31 May 2027

Prize Structure

Winners receive cash prizes, certificates, and recognition at a specially organised awards event. Prize breakdown by category:

Category 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place
Primary School (5–11 years) ₦1,000,000 ₦750,000 ₦500,000
Secondary School (12–17 years) ₦1,500,000 ₦1,200,000 ₦750,000
Tertiary Institution (18–24 years) ₦2,000,000 ₦1,500,000 ₦1,000,000

Total prize pool: ₦10,200,000.

Application Process

Follow these steps to submit your entry:

  1. Complete the online application form at the official portal
  2. Print the completed form and obtain endorsement and stamp from your Head of School
  3. Scan the endorsed form and prepare your competition entry (essay, artwork, or poem)
  4. Upload all materials to dcma.army.mil.ng before the deadline

Important: Entries uploaded after 31 May 2027 will not be considered.

Selection Process

The competition uses a two-stage assessment:

  1. Initial assessment: Shortlisting of candidates based on entry quality
  2. Virtual interaction: Shortlisted candidates engage with a team of assessors before final winner selection

Any entry found to contain plagiarism at any stage will be immediately disqualified. All entries may be published in Nigerian Army journals and periodicals.

Notification of Results

Winners will be notified through:

  • Email communication
  • Notification to their schools
  • Publication on the official webpage

Key Dates

  • Application Opens: 1 November 2026
  • Application Deadline: 31 May 2027
  • Assessment Period: June–July 2027 (estimated)
  • Winners Announced: To be published on official channels

Tips for a Strong Application

  • Start early to allow time for drafting and revision
  • Ensure your work directly addresses the theme
  • Verify word counts carefully—entries exceeding limits may be disqualified
  • Obtain school endorsement well before the deadline
  • Check that scanned documents are clear and legible
  • Retain copies of all submitted materials

Important Notes for International Applicants

This competition is restricted to Nigerian citizens studying in Nigerian institutions. Applicants from Zimbabwe, other SADC countries, or elsewhere in Africa are not eligible unless they are Nigerian nationals enrolled in Nigerian schools.

Related scholarships

Official scholarship page: https://scholarsregion.com/scholarship/chief-of-army-tec6w1

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

Funding Coverage

Cash prizes up to ₦2,000,000 per winner; certificates; recognition at awards ceremony. Total prize pool: ₦10,200,000.

Eligibility Criteria

Nigerian citizens aged 5–24 enrolled in primary school (5–11), secondary school (12–17), or tertiary institutions (18–24, undergraduate only). All fields of study accepted.

Required Documents

Completed online application form; printed and school-endorsed/stamped form; original competition entry (essay, artwork scan/photo, or poem); short caption for art entries.

Application Process

1) Complete online application form. 2) Print and obtain Head of School endorsement and stamp. 3) Scan endorsed form. 4) Upload form and competition entry to dcma.army.mil.ng before deadline.
Apply Now — Official Website

You will be redirected to the official scholarship application page.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The COAS Literary Competition is exclusively for Nigerian citizens enrolled in Nigerian educational institutions. International students, including those from SADC countries like Zimbabwe, are not eligible unless they hold Nigerian nationality and study in Nigeria.
The research does not indicate any application fee. The competition appears free to enter, though applicants should verify on the official portal dcma.army.mil.ng when applying.
Any entry found not to be original at any stage of the competition will be immediately disqualified. The Nigerian Army emphasizes strict originality requirements, and all entries may be checked at multiple assessment stages.
The research does not specify whether multiple category entries are permitted. Applicants should consult the official guidelines on dcma.army.mil.ng or contact the competition administrators for clarification.
Winners and shortlisted candidates will be notified via email, through their schools, and by publication on the official webpage. Ensure your contact information is accurate and check your email regularly after the deadline.
Essays from tertiary institution applicants must be between 3,000 and 5,000 words. Primary and secondary school essays have a maximum limit of 2,000 words. Entries exceeding these limits risk disqualification.

Related Scholarships