What is the OnePipe Press Writing Challenge
Embedded finance has impacted significant developments in banking and fintech circles in recent years, although a vast majority of consumers have not heard of it or are unaware that they currently use it.
According to Forbes, embedded finance (also known as banking as a service) will create $230 billion in income by 2025 across a variety of financial services, including payments, loans, and insurance. This is significant. As the usage of this technology expands and becomes increasingly incorporated into non-financial websites, mobile apps, and business processes, greater public awareness is required.
OnePipe, a foremost fintech API company, is launching the OnePipe Press Writing Challenge to recognize journalism and press reportage that demonstrates the value and use of embedded finance, making it easier for the public to better understand the concept.
The Challenge aims to promote and inspire more and better educational reporting and writing, as well as to emphasize the value of good coverage and narrative as a cornerstone of enhancing public awareness and trends in embedded finance.
Who can apply
The Challenge is open to all forms of media. The competition welcomes submissions from journalists/press persons. They must be individuals – (either full time, part-time or freelancers) who are presently employed in a magazine or general circulation newspapers published in Nigeria. This can be daily or non-daily, broadsheet or tabloid, conventional or alternative, as well as syndicates and cooperatives that provide content for newspapers. Nominations may be made by editors, publishers, educators, journalistic groups, and others.
The N1 million prize for three will be awarded in recognition of published reporting that has resulted in information sharing, idea definition, trend analysis, and definition of concepts.
PRIZES
First Winner
N1 Million Naira
Second Winner
N1 Million Naira
Third Winner
N1 Million Naira
Submission Format
All submitted articles should be 400-500 words and must have been published in recognized press media. TV or radio broadcast submissions must be at least 20mins long.
For digital publications, the winning entries must have no less than 500 interactions (read, watched, liked etc)
Entering
- Entries may be submitted online as a PDF using this form.
- Each submission to the OnePipe Press Writing Challenge must be accompanied by a link to the publication online.
- Broadcast submissions must be accompanied by a link to a published video/audio on any publicly available site such as Web Page, Soundcloud, Google Podcast, Youtube etc. Entries submitted without the required links or references will be disqualified.
- Entries in a hard copy,Magazine or Newspaper publication must be accompanied by a digital image of article showing name and date published.
- All submitted articles must have been published between 25th February 2022 and 20th May 2022.
- All submitted articles must be original, contain references to Nigeria, and be relevant to the Nigerian market.
- All articles must advocate for the use of embedded finance, and demonstrate great use cases of the technology.
- All submitted publications must contain the name of the author, which must correspond to the details on the submission. Authors using pseudonyms must demonstrate ownership of the pseudonym referenced.
- All authors are allowed to submit as many entries as possible. However, each submission must link to a distinctly different and relevant article.
- All articles must have been viewed/watched, liked read a minimum of 500 times.
- All articles may be typewritten and must be 1.15-spaced.
- Article must contain at least 400 words but no more than 500 words. Every word of the essay is counted. This does not include the title, bibliography, or footnotes.
- Any quotations or copyrighted material used in the article must be identified properly. Failure to identify non-original material will result in disqualification.
- Article must be written in English.
- The decision of the executive director is final, and no higher appeals will be recognized.
Judges
Prof. Olayinka David-West
Prof. Olayinka David-West is a Senior Fellow in the Operations, Information Systems and Marketing Division of Lagos Business School (LBS).
With a career in the information systems industry spanning nearly three decades; she has engaged in various roles in systems/technology consulting, systems development and integration and electronic banking management.
Prof David-West currently directs the Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Financial Services (SIDFS) initiative of the Lagos Business School. Professor David-West holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Manchester Business School; an MSc in Business Systems Analysis and Design from City University, London; and a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Lagos. She is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), and an academic advocate to the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). She is also a qualified practitioner of the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA), and a digital money specialist certified by Digital Frontiers Institute and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University.
Professor Olayinka David-West is a governing council member of the Fintech Association of Nigeria.
Caleb Ojewale
Caleb Ojewale is an Assistant Editor at BusinessDay Newspaper in Nigeria, where he also heads Industry and Real Sector, supervising all associated beats/desks. A well rounded business journalist; he is a recipient of multiple local and international journalism awards. Caleb is a fellow of the University of Oxford and OKP and has bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees in communication from Lagos State University and the University of Lagos, respectively.
Múyìwá Mátùlúkò
Múyìwá Mátùlúkò identifies as the ‘Chief Servant’ at Techpoint Africa and has been covering technology and its effects on lifestyle, business, and society for over 9 years. His views, research, and journalistic efforts have largely contributed to the development of the tech ecosystem in Africa.
FAQS
What is the OnePipe Press Writing Challenge?
OnePipe is awarding 1 million Naira each to the most informative, compelling, and educational media article in an attempt to increase awareness on the social and economic impact of embedded finance.
OnePipe’s objective is to improve financial experiences in Nigeria by facilitating embedded finance that enables financial inclusion as a whole, and ensures that enterprises are empowered to give the premium valued service that best suits their customers’ needs. Understanding the value of Embedded Finance in a local context, through articles, stories and new pieces developed by press and media, will give everyone an opportunity to see and appreciate what can be achieved through the technology.
What countries does this cover?
The campaign is open to journalists and reporters working for media organisations operating in NIgeria, and targeting people in Nigeria only. The same applies to the competition submissions.
1 Million Naira each will be awarded to the three most informative, compelling, and educational media articles. The prize money will be disbursed upon winners being announced. Each winner, and at OnePipe’s discretion, will also receive an opportunity to interview and receive priority access to the OnePipe communications team within the first six-months of winning their prize. For details, visit the terms & conditions.
What is the eligibility criteria?
- Entrants must be 18 years or older as of February 21 2022. Also, entrants must be able to show proof of working in a press organisation that is based in Nigeria. For details, visit the terms & conditions.
- All submitted articles must have been published between 21 February 2022 and 20 May 2022.
- All submitted articles must be original, and contain references to Nigeria, and be relevant to the Nigerian market.
- All articles must advocate for the use of embedded finance, and demonstrate great use cases of the technology.
- All submitted publications must contain the name of the author, which must correspond to the details on the submission. Authors using pseudonyms must demonstrate ownership of the pseudonym referenced.
- Authors are allowed to submit as many entries as possible. However, each submission must link to a distinctly different and relevant article.
- All articles must have been viewed / watched or read a minimum of 500 times.
What if I submit and do not win?
Only the three submissions selected following the process will be awarded the prizes. However, if your story is shortlisted, it can still be profiled on the campaign website. Through the campaign marketing and PR efforts, your achievements can continue to benefit from increased exposure to an international audience helping to raise awareness of what you are doing in the broader ecosystem.
What is the submission timeline?
Submissions are being accepted from 12:00 GMT February 21, 2022 through 23:59 WAT on May 20, 2022.
You can submit your story by completing the submission form at goo.gle/onepipepressChallenge
Each submission will undergo three rounds of judging as described below:
- Round 1 – A team of round external judges will assess first pass submissions for assessment to determine 20 semi-finalists. The shortlisted candidates will be informed of this.
- Round 2 – A panel consisting of senior OnePipe comms execs and external judges from our partner organisations will assess each of the 20 semi-finalist shortlisted articles to select the top 10 finalists.
- Round 3 – 3 pre-announced snr editors will select the top 3 winning articles based on agreed criteria relevant to the media ecosyst
Do I have to be resident in Nigeria to participate?
Yes. You must be able to prove that you are resident in Nigeria to participate in the campaign. Your media organisation must be operational in Nigeria too.
No. Participation in this challenge is free.
Can I submit more than one entry?
Yes. An Entrant may submit more than one Entry. Authors are allowed to submit as many entries as possible. However, each submission must link to a distinctly different and relevant article.
Submit your Entry
Click the button below to submit your entry