UI Arts faculty wins oratory contest

For the students who gathered at the School Hall of The Vale College, Iyaganku GRA, Ibadan, on Saturday, October 31, 2026, the contest was more than an academic competition. It was an opportunity to engage with questions of justice, political inclusion, responsible leadership and the future of democracy in Nigeria.

Organised by Educare Trust, in collaboration with The Vale College, the competition brought together five faculties of the University of Ibadan for the grand finale, held under the theme, ‘Justice, Rule of Law and the Future of Nigeria’s Democracy’.

Nigerian Tribune reported that at the end of the keenly contested exercise, the Faculty of Arts emerged champion with 500 marks out of a possible 600, defeating the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, which scored 458 marks to emerge first runner-up.

The Faculty of Education came third with 437 marks, while the Faculties of Social Sciences and Pharmacy scored 432 and 428 marks respectively.

The contest challenged the finalists to examine two significant subjects: ‘From Barriers to Bridges: Re-engineering Nigeria’s Political Systems for True Inclusion and Responsible Leadership’ and ‘What were the political ideals that Chief Bola Ige stood for?’

The topics invited participants to move beyond rehearsed speeches and demonstrate their understanding of Nigeria’s political history, democratic institutions and the responsibilities of citizenship.

The choice of Bola Ige was as a result of his contributions to Nigerian politics, constitutionalism and public service. The late politician represents a generation of public figures whose ideas about democracy and accountable leadership remain relevant to contemporary national conversations.