Official Report: Foundation Chambers Essay Writing Competition 2024

Topic – The AFCFTA: Legal Challenges In Promoting Regional Integration And Trade Facilitation.

Introduction:

The Foundation Chambers Essay Writing Competition was announced on 4^th July 2024 till 23^rd August 2024. It was aimed at cultivating academic excellence and stimulating thoughtful discourse among university students in Nigeria. The competition welcomed entries from over 20 Universities across the country and disciplines with an interest in the legal field.

Participation and Evaluation – AI Check, Plagiarism Check, Compliance with rules:

The response to the competition was robust, with a total of 36 essay entries received. Following the submission period, a meticulous review process was undertaken. Eight essays were disqualified for being without academic referencing, nine essays were disqualified for surpassing the AI generation and plagiarism threshold and one for being in PDF format. This resulted in 18 eligible essays for the next stage.

In House Marking:

Two Counsels and a Partner were engaged as preliminary markers to screen the 18 essays for adherence to stipulated guidelines and content relevance. After this screening, they shortlisted the top 10 essays.

External Marker Assessment:

The final 10 essays were sent to an
external marker, an independent expert in the field. This external marker
evaluated the essays and produced the final rankings, identifying the top three
essays in the Foundation Chambers Essay Writing Competition. The top three
winners are:

Winners:

Conclusion:

The Foundation Chambers Essay Writing
Competition has undergone a comprehensive evaluation process, ensuring fairness
and excellence in the selection of the top essays. To our winners, your dedication to
excellence has set a standard that truly inspires. Your essays stood out amidst
a pool of incredible talent, and we are proud to celebrate your achievements. Congratulations!