Fellow Nurses Africa | Lagos, Nigeria | 21 November, 2025
The Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) has announced the resumption of the prestigious Florence Nightingale Essay and Speech Competition, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing excellence, leadership, and innovation among Nigeria’s nursing and midwifery students.
The competition, created to honor the enduring legacy of Florence Nightingale, continues to promote reflective inquiry, articulate communication, and evidence-based contributions that advance nursing practice across the country.
“Advancing Nursing Excellence Through Evidence-Based Practice and Compassionate Leadership: Reflections on Florence Nightingale’s Enduring Vision.”
According to the NMCN, the theme urges nursing students to explore the synergy between research, compassionate caregiving, and visionary leadership values that remain central to Nightingale’s influence in modern nursing.
Competition Categories
The 2025/2026 cycle will feature two main categories:
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Essay Competition – Open to all students in nursing departments, faculties, and colleges of nursing sciences nationwide
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Speech Competition – Open exclusively to zonal winners who emerge from school and zonal-level selections
Three-Stage Competition Structure
Stage 1: School Level
Each institution will conduct internal screening and submit the three best candidates per category.
Stage 2: Zonal Level
Institutional winners will proceed to state-level contests within the six geopolitical zones. At this stage, six zonal winners will be selected.
Stage 3: National Grand Finale
Zonal champions will compete at the 2026 Nursing Leaders Conference, where the national champions will be crowned.
Entry Requirements
Participants are expected to follow the official NMCN submission guidelines:
- Essay submissions: Typed, double-spaced, not more than 2,500 words
- Speech submissions: 2–3 minute recorded video plus a written transcript
- All entries must include name, institution, category, email, and phone number
- Zonal submissions will be accepted electronically
Deadline for school-level submissions: December 2025
Evaluation & Recognition
Entries will be judged based on:
- Originality
- Understanding of the theme
- Depth of analysis
- Organization
- Relevance to contemporary nursing practice
- Presentation quality
Winners will receive Certificates of Excellence, plaques, and various consolation prizes, with special presentations scheduled during the 2026 Nursing Leaders Conference.
For enquiries, participants may contact:
Dr. Udonre: 0809 822 2224
Modupe: 0802 864 2018
Seun: 0803 445 5591 or email education@nmcn.gov.ng
