SystemSpecs Group has officially launched the 2026 edition of its flagship Children’s Day Essay Competition (CDEC), challenging Nigeria’s youth to address one of the nation’s most pressing issues: transportation.
With nearly half of Nigeria’s population under 25, equipping young minds with critical problem-solving skills has never been more urgent. Now in its seventh year, CDEC has grown into a premier platform for digital advocacy, moving beyond traditional academic writing to focus on practical, technology-driven solutions for national development.
Open to students aged 9 to 17, the competition encourages participants to engage with real-world challenges and propose thoughtful, tech-informed solutions. The 2026 theme, “Achieving a Safer and More Effective Transportation System in Nigeria Through Information Technology”, highlights the central role mobility plays in everyday life, from connecting people to schools and jobs to moving goods across markets and communities.
Persistent issues such as road safety risks, congestion, cargo losses, logistics delays and weak emergency response continue to hamper Nigeria’s transport ecosystem. These challenges increase costs and reduce productivity for households, businesses, farmers and traders alike.
The 2026 CDEC urges students to think beyond roads and vehicles, exploring how technology can strengthen transportation systems. Suggested solutions include real-time tracking, early warning systems, incident-reporting platforms, safety awareness tools, and coordinated digital response mechanisms to improve behaviour, accountability, and decision-making.
Submissions will be evaluated on clarity, creativity, practicality, and relevance to everyday Nigerian realities. The goal is not to reinvent existing systems but to demonstrate how data, technology, and human-centred design can make transport safer, smarter, and more dependable.
Over its six previous editions, CDEC has nurtured young voices around themes such as security, education, online safety, and civic responsibility. The 2026 edition builds on this legacy, reinforcing the message that technology should not only be consumed but consciously applied as a tool for national development.
