The Love & Light Foundation, in partnership with Chiziterem Chijioke, is proud to announce the winners of the second edition of the Love & Light Essay Writing Contest (formerly Made to Love). 

The Love & Light Foundation is a youth-led nonprofit organization dedicated to ending hunger, eradicating poverty, and promoting quality education and skill development. Guided by its mission of empowerment and sustainable development, the foundation operates with the belief that storytelling can drive real change — inspiring young Africans to take ownership of their communities and create practical solutions to the challenges they face.

In 2024, the foundation received 42 entries from nine countries. Muhd Rabiu AbdulRaha was the overall winner. This year, there were 36 entries from six African countries, with six finalists who are:

• Agnes A. Mnazava,
• Khadijat Abdulhamid,
• Ojulari Zainab,
• Okundamdewa Adeola, Gbadebo John,
• and Adenubi Demilade.

 

The winner for 2025 is Agnes A. Mnazava.

The First Runner-Up for 2025 is Khadijat Abdulhamid.

The Second Runner-Up for 2025 is Gbadebo John.

 

About the winner of the 2025 Love & Light Essay Writing Contest

Mnazava is a Tanzanian, a testament to how the contest continues to expand its reach across the continent. Her essay stood out for its clarity, depth, and creative interpretation of the theme:

“The Rising Generation: Youth Solutions for a Just, Clean, and Climate-Ready Africa.”

 

Read Here: What Does It Mean to Write According to a Theme?

 

Her ideas reflected the contest’s spirit: practical, youth-led pathways to climate justice and sustainable growth. As part of her recognition, Agnes received a cash prize of 86,000 Tanzanian Shillings and an appointment as a Love & Light Delegate, joining a network of young Africans championing innovation, education, and environmental justice.

The Love & Light Essay Writing Contest was established to amplify the voices of African youth and promote storytelling as a tool for transformation. Through contests, mentorship programs, and writing workshops — including this year’s session led by award-winning writer Chiziterem Chijioke and creative writing coach Tunmise Ojo-Martins — the foundation continues to empower students to use words as instruments of hope and change.

Congratulations to our 2025 winner, Agnes A. Mnazava, and to all the brilliant finalists.  Follow the Love & Light Foundation to keep up to date about future events.