Airtel Celebrates International Day of Education with Essay Competition in Primary Schools

Airtel Nigeria, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, under its Employee Volunteer Scheme (EVS), organized an Essay Competition, to commemorate the International Day of Education. The initiative, held at Airtel’s adopted schools across Nigeria, showcased exceptional talent and creativity among primary school pupils, emphasizing the company's commitment to inspiring the next generation.

The competition, which was open to pupils from Basic 4 to 6, focused on themes such as education, technology, and community development. The aim was to enhance writing skills, foster critical thinking, and encourage self-expression among students. After a rigorous selection process, the top participants from each school competed in the final round, guided and mentored by Airtel employees who served as judges and facilitators. 

Speaking on the initiative, Airtel Nigeria CEO, Dinesh Balsingh, noted that, "This essay competition is a testament to Airtel's dedication to nurturing creativity and academic excellence among young learners. We aim to empower them to achieve their full potential and inspire positive change within their communities, by providing a platform for these students to share their ideas." 

The participating schools included Oremeji Primary School II, Ajegunle, Lagos; St John's Primary School, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State; and Iyeru-Okin Primary School, Offa, Kwara State. Others were Community Primary School, Ezinihite Mbaise, Imo State; Presbyterian Primary School, Ediba, Cross River State; Yahaya Hamza Primary School, Zaria, Kaduna State; and Government Day Primary School, Pantami, Gombe State.

The final stage of the competition saw 15 top participants from each school present their essays before a panel of judges. Ultimately, a winner and runner-up were selected from each school to make a total of 14 champions nationwide. Prizes presented to the winners by Airtel included books, digital tablets, mathematical sets, writing instruments, among others.

This essay competition forms a vital part of Airtel Nigeria’s Adopt-a-School program, a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on driving educational development in underserved communities. Through this program, Airtel is committed to creating lasting value by equipping students with the skills and confidence needed for a brighter future.