Former Governorship Candidate in Anambra State, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, has announced the launch of the Valiant Youth Choir Competition, a faith-based musical initiative aimed at identifying and supporting young Christian voices across Nigeria, starting with Anambra State.
The competition, unveiled on Thursday, December 18, 2025, through his Foundation, VCO Foundation, is designed for Christian youth choirs comprising 10 to 30 members aged 20 and under, starting with Anambra State, marking the inaugural edition of a competition which will be expanded to other states.
Valentine Ozigbo, a celebrated Global CEO and immediate past President of Transcorp Plc, in a press statement, revealed the intention for the contest, saying, “Through the Valiant Youth Choir Competition, we aim to nurture and celebrate the musical talents of young Christians in Nigeria, beginning from Anambra State. We believe that music is a powerful tool for spreading the message of faith and hope.”
According to Ozigbo, Founder of the VCO Foundation and the Valiant Movement, the choir competition is designed to combine musical expression with mentorship and broader opportunities for young people involved in church music.
The programme is guided by the themes of faith, talent and excellence, reflecting the Foundation’s broader mission to empower young Nigerians and strengthen Christian communities through creative platforms.
Participating choirs are required to register through a supervising adult or church authority and submit a one-to-three-minute audition video.
For the audition stage, choirs are to select one of three prescribed Christian hymns: “I Am Valiant,” “Stand Up for Jesus,” or “Ye Servants of God.”
The contest will have several stages, culminating in a grand finale in February 2026. Registration opens on December 20, 2025, and closes on January 20, 2026, with shortlisted choirs to be announced on January 25. Online auditions are scheduled for January 30 and 31, followed by a round challenge on February 7 and the final event on February 14.
Winners will receive cash prizes of ₦1.5 million for first place, ₦1 million for second place and ₦500,000 for third place.
Beyond the monetary awards, the Foundation said top choirs would gain media exposure, mentorship, certificates of participation, and networking opportunities with other youth choirs in the state.
“At its heart, this initiative is about service and worship. We want young people to see their voices not just as talent, but as a calling, and to step forward with confidence in both faith and purpose,” Ozigbo added.
The VCO Foundation, one of Nigeria’s most impactful non-profit organisations, focuses on education, youth development, and women’s empowerment through leadership training, education and empowerment programmes, and faith-based initiatives.
Its activities include scholarships, community interventions, and creative talent platforms that nurture purpose-driven young Nigerians.
In 10 years, the Foundation has touched the lives of over 400,000 people in Anambra and beyond.
Further details about the competition, including guidelines and submission requirements, are available on the competition’s website, valiants.me/choir-contest.
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