Every year, the Foundation hosts the HJIUF National Essay Competition, an esteemed platform that invites undergraduate students to explore and dissect complex legal topics in scholarly writings. This annual event serves as a beacon of intellectual inquiry and academic excellence, providing young scholars with the opportunity to engage in critical discourse and contribute to the advancement of legal scholarship.
Annually, the Foundation organizes the HJIUF National Essay Competition, a prestigious event where undergraduate students are encouraged to delve into intricate legal issues and propose solutions through their essays. Participants in the competition are tasked with crafting essays that tackle pressing legal topics, offering fresh perspectives and innovative solutions.
Each year, the competition addresses a different theme, providing students with an opportunity to engage with diverse areas of law and contribute to ongoing conversations within the legal community. Through their essays, participants demonstrate their analytical skills, critical thinking abilities, and commitment to advancing legal scholarship.
In the inaugural edition of the competition, participants delved into the intricacies of land rights under the Land Use Act, grappling with questions of ownership, possession, and hybrid arrangements. Branham Paul Chima, a 400-Level Student at the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria, emerged as the victor, showcasing exceptional insight and analytical prowess. Following in the second position was Joshua Adedeye from the University of Lagos, and in the third position was Okuneye Wuraola Tomiwa from Olabisi Onabanjo University, both demonstrating remarkable aptitude in their submissions.
Building on the success of the first edition, the second iteration of the National Essay Competition delved into the pressing issue of climate change and its implications for real estate law. Precious Chiamaka Onuabuchi from the University of Ilorin emerged as the winner with her insightful essay, earning the prestigious first prize of ₦100,000. Following closely were Omobolanle Alashe from Babcock University and Timothy Wisdom Uchechukwu from Rivers State University, Nigeria, who further enriched the discourse with their thoughtful contributions. They secured the second and third positions, respectively, and received cash prizes of ₦50,000 and ₦20,000, respectively.
The winners of the second edition were also awarded certificates of excellence, and the prestigious opportunity to have their articles published in the HJIUF Law Journal, cementing their place in the annals of legal scholarship.
As the competition continues to evolve, it remains a cornerstone of the Foundation’s commitment to fostering intellectual discourse, promoting legal education, and nurturing the next generation of legal scholars and practitioners.
