By TLDS’UI
If you have been following the build-up to Jaw War 2026, then you already know the excitement is beginning to build!
For years, Jaw War has remained one of the biggest stages for public speaking in the University of Ibadan and in Sub-Saharan Africa. But what makes Jaw War one-of-a-kind is not just the competition itself. It is the atmosphere, the pressure, the crowd, the history, the rivalries, the friendships, the expectations, and, above all, the speakers who spend days preparing for that one moment on stage.
And now, the big question on everyone’s mind is: Who are the speakers to watch out for this year?
Audience, we have gone far and wide to put together a list of 20 Speakers we believe deserve your attention in this year’s tournament.
This list was compiled based on:
– Number of awards/appearances made by speakers.
– Quality of delivery and performance in previous tournaments.
– Popularity and influence in UI’s public speaking space and beyond.
NOTE: This list was compiled independently of The Literary and Debating Society, University of Ibadan (TLDS’UI), and the speakers are listed in no particular order.
20. Grace Oluwatuyi
Grace is a final-year student of Communication and Language Arts and a passionate public speaker and debater. She has won several speaking competitions and emerged as Best Speaker at Rhetoric Rumble, Vocal Knights, and the Ibrahim Hammed Oratory Competition. She was also a Top 5 finalist at the JCI Nigeria National Public Speaking Competition and has recorded several other competitive speaking achievements.
She currently serves as Vice President of Queen Idia Hall Literary and Debating Society and Speech Coach for the Faculty of Arts Literary and Debating Society. She is also the pioneer of VoiceLab Africa, an initiative promoting public speaking among young people.
19. Samuel Olaniyi Binuyo
Samuel is a 500 level student of the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan. He has served as Assistant Speech Coach of the Faculty of Law L&D Society, Intellectualis Head and Speech Coach of the Kuti Hall Literary and Debating Society (KHLDS), and currently serves as President of KHLDS. He made his first mark on the public speaking scene by clinching first place at Kuti Hall’s Rookie Oratory Competition, before catching the attention of UI’s public speaking circle after being declared Best Speaker at the Bello Hall L&D Society’s Bilateral Debate Competition. In 2025, he emerged winner and overall best speaker of Kuti Hall’s Great Man of the Podium Competition.
Samuel has gone on to represent both his Hall and Faculty at JawWar, recording notable wins along the way. Beyond competition, he is passionate about teaching and mentoring upcoming speakers.
17. Bukunmi Adekunle
Bukunmi is a 500-level Law student at the University of Ibadan and an accomplished public speaker, debater, and advocate. Known for her compelling delivery, she has represented the Faculty of Law at several major debating and public speaking competitions, including Jaw War, the 2025 UI-Law Bilaterals, where she emerged winner, and the 2026 Prima Strata-OAU National Law Students’ Debate Competition, where she emerged Champion. She was also the Winner of the 2023 Witty and Skillful Public Speaking Competition and was Second Runner-Up in the 2022 Law Literary and Debating Society’s Rookie of the Year Competition.
Her advocacy experience extends to competitive mooting. Her team emerged First Runner-Up at the 2026 University of Lagos National Arbitration Moot Competition and Winner of the Olabisi Onabanjo University National Arbitration Moot Competition, where she was recognised as Best Counsel. She currently serves as President of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Society, University of Ibadan, and has previously served as General Secretary of the Faculty of Law Literary and Debating Society.
17. Leshi Kehinde Oluwadamilola
Kehinde is a final year law student from the faculty of Law. A seasoned public speaker, Kehinde currently serves as President of the Queen Elizabeth II Hall Literary and Debating Society.
She also served as the Immediate Past Literary Head of the Faculty of Law Literary and Debating Society, University of Ibadan (UI Law LDS), and as Head of the Literary Arm of the Augustine Nnamani Chamber, Faculty of Law.
She has represented both the Queen Elizabeth II Hall and the Faculty of Law in various competitions.
16. Uthman Hamzat
Uthman is a 500-level student of the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan, with a keen interest in public speaking, intellectual discourse, and literary expression.
He currently serves as the Commander of Vocal Knights Literary and Debating Society, under the Nigeria Association of Agricultural Students, University of Ibadan, and as the President of Kenneth Mellanby Hall Literary and Debating Society.
15. Bartholomew Samuel Jesugo
Samuel popularly known as Barth is a 400-level student of the University of Ibadan who has a personal passion for public speaking and creative writing. As a public speaker and debater, he has graced several stages within and beyond the University of Ibadan, earning notable recognitions including: Winner of the National Union of Lagos State Students Oratory Competition 2025, Hive Network Africa Debate Competition 2024, Best Speaker, Jaw War 2025 Quarter-Finals, Best Speaker, faculty of Education (Tug of words 2023, 2024), 1st Runner-up at the Change Makers Essay Contest, 2021.
He is the current Lord Vice President of the Great Lord Tedder Hall Literary and Debating Society. He loves reading or watching war documentaries at leisure.
14. Mayowa Adekola (MAP)
MAP is a student of Arts and Social Sciences Education at the University of Ibadan, a multi-award-winning spoken wordsmith, an Orator, and a student leader. He is currently the President of the Education Literary and Debating Society and Vice President of the Great Independence Hall Literary and Debating Society. He previously served as the General Secretary of The Literary and Debating Society (TLDS’UI), the organizers of Jaw War 2025.
A seasoned public speaker, MAP began his competitive public speaking journey at the 2024 Lanre-Bello Inter-faculty Oratory Competition, where he emerged 2nd runner-up. His Jaw War debut came in 2025, where he led the Education team to victory in its First Round after three consecutive years of First-round losses.
MAP also explores creative writing and spoken words poetry. In 2024, he emerged winner of the Honorable Fagbemi Bibire Essay Competition for Education students and 2nd runner-up in the 2025 UISRC Essay Competition. He has graced over 50 stages through poetry performances and speaking contests, and has been featured on platforms and events involving Leadway Assurance, Stanbic IBTC, Oyo Youth Summit, JCI Ibadan Business Elite, Global Convergence Leaders, among others.
Beyond competitive public speaking, he is passionate about education, academic excellence, personal development and using communication to inspire meaningful change.
13. Faith Uwhokori
Faith is a 300-level student of Arts and Social Sciences Education at the University of Ibadan and a multi-award-winning public speaker with a passion for persuasive and motivational speaking. He currently serves as Speech Coach II of the Education Literary and Debating Society and Vice President of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall Literary and Debating Society. Known for his compelling delivery and ability to communicate ideas with clarity and conviction, Faith believes that public speaking is a life skill essential to anyone who seeks to thrive in their chosen field. For him, speaking is not merely about expressing ideas, but about giving those ideas the power to inspire, influence, and create meaningful impact.
12. Amaechi Patrick OKELUE
Patrick is a Final Year student of the Faculty of Dentistry. He is a member of the Alexander Brown Hall Literary and Debating Society where he previously served as the Dentistry coordinator twice and Team Lead of House Luther. As Team Lead, his House topped as the best in the Society winning back to back in-house debate sessions.
He was a facilitator at the second Edition of the TLDS UI Speak and Live event, and he has represented the Faculty of Dentistry at Jaw War on different occasions and delivered quality representation while at it.
He also represented the Faculty of Dentistry at the Debate Category of the 2024 JCINUI Lanre Bello Inter-Faculty Debate Competition where he emerged as the Best Debater and overall Winner of the competition with his Oratory speaker.
11. Ashanga Esther
Esther is a 500l Nursing student at the University of Ibadan and a familiar name on the debate and public speaking circuit. She has made multiple appearances at Jaw War over the years. She currently serves as President of Obafemi Awolowo Hall L&D, having previously served as President of the Faculty of Nursing Literary and Debating Society (L&D) in 2024 and as speech coach of Obafemi Awolowo Hall L&D in 2025. She has spoken and judged in several competitions across campus. Esther brings a calm, confident presence to every stage she steps on.
10. Bolarinwa Israel Olamiposi
Israel is a 300-level student of Arts and Social Sciences Education, University of Ibadan. He has found purpose in the art of speaking and creative writing. He is a poet and public speaker whose journey has been shaped by pure passion, grace, grit and unwavering determination.
He is the 2025 Young Orators national champion; Nigeria’s representative at the 2025 International Public Speaking Competition, London, first runner-up at Jaw War 2025 (faculty category); Best speaker, Jaw War 2025 semi-finals; first runner-up at the 2024 UI SU Rookies’ Oratory Contest, as well as Jaw War: Rise of Legends rookies’ oratory. He has earned other multiple Best Speaker awards and top finishes across Jaw War, Tech Bilaterals, and major hall debates.
He serves as the President of the Great Independence Hall Literary & Debating Society and Speech Coach of the Education Literary & Debating Society, where he leads young orators. Israel challenges young ones to continue to use their voice, as he believes in the unrivalled power of consistency as the path to greatness.
9. Ifeanyichukwu Elechi
Ifeanyichukwu is a communications enthusiast specializing in public speaking, essay writing, and brand storytelling. As a competitive speaker, he has won and spoken at numerous stages, including Jaw War ROL 2024, Armoury of Words 2025, UIBP Clash 3.0, Law Bilaterals 2025, All Nigeria Universities Debate Championship 2025, Phronesis Oratory 2025, Battle of Wits 2026, Clash of Divas 2023, and Tech Bilaterals 2025.
Beyond competing, he has trained over 300 speakers, serves as a volunteer trainer at Ibadan Schools Debate, and handles various other speaking and mentoring initiatives. His leadership footprint includes serving as President of the Great Independence Hall Literary and Debating Society, Research Head of the University of Ibadan British Parliamentary Debate Society, and currently, its Deputy Captain.
8. Filade Michael Adekunle
Michael is a public speaker, competitive debater and student leader whose growing reputation is built on a distinctive combination of intellectual rigour, persuasive communication and leadership. A student of Animal Science at the University of Ibadan, Michael has established himself within one of Nigeria’s most competitive university debating environments.
His defining achievement came at Jaw War 2025, the University of Ibadan’s flagship debating competition, where he was named Overall Best Speaker at the grand finale. Earlier in the competition, he had also emerged as Best Speaker in the hall category, representing Sultan Bello Hall. His performances demonstrated not only eloquence, but also the ability to construct compelling arguments, engage opposing positions and communicate complex ideas with precision. (Campus Journalists UI)
Michael’s influence extends beyond competitive debating. He served as Treasurer of The Literary and Debating Society, University of Ibadan (TLDS’UI), following his election with the highest number of votes recorded in the society’s 2025 executive elections. (Jawwar)
What distinguishes Michael is the breadth of his intellectual interests. His academic training in Animal Science places him within the broader fields of agriculture, food systems and sustainable development, while his debating experience has developed his capacity for critical analysis, research, argumentation and public communication.
As an emerging voice in Nigeria’s student-speaking and debating community, Filade Michael represents a generation of young Nigerians using the discipline of debate not merely to win arguments, but to examine ideas, challenge assumptions and influence conversations. His trajectory reflects the potential of public speaking as both an intellectual discipline and a vehicle for leadership.
7. Mu’izz Ọpẹ́yẹmí Àjàyí
Mu’izz a Lagos-born Nigerian poet, is an Ancestral General of The Sultan Bello Hall Literary and Debating Society, where he led the Home of Dragons to its second jaw war triumph in 2025. He’s renowned for his mastery of language, logic, and calm delivery. Being a final-year law student, he’s won the JawWar 2025 (Hall Category), clinching the Best Speaker Award in the Opening Round, Overall Best Speech of the Tournament and Overall Best Speaker of the Final; two Armory of Words titles, while being the Second-Best Debater (Armoury of Words 2025) and Best Debater [Armory of Words (Dragons Reborn edition)]. He was a finalist in the Asido Mental Health Oratory Competition 2023, and NAMLAS National Debate Championship, 2024. He’s a co-winner of the Lagos-London Poetry Competition 2022, University of Ibadan Law LDS Poetry Prize 2022, a Poetry Translation Centre UNDERTOW Fellow and a Best of The Net nominee (3X).
6. Ogunleye Moboluwarin
Moboluwarin is a Medical student who has made a huge mark in the UI public speaking space. His interest cuts across public speaking, debating, and journalism.
5. Goodluck Akinlawon
Goodluck is a 500 level student of the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan. She is an outstanding public speaker and debater who has represented both her faculty and her hall, Obafemi Awolowo Hall, at various speaking competitions.
Her public speaking journey in UI began in 2023 when she represented the University of Ibadan at the LAWSAN (South West) Inter Varsity Oratory Contest, emerging as the overall winner of the round after defeating Ajayi Crowther University. In the same year, she won the Sultan Bello Hall Rookie Debate Bilaterals, representing Obafemi Awolowo Hall and emerging as the Best Speaker in the competition. In 2024, she was recognised as the Rookie of the Year in both her hall and faculty’s Literary and Debating Societies.
She made her Jaw War debut in 2024 and has since represented both Obafemi Awolowo Hall and the Faculty of Law in subsequent editions of the competition. In Jaw War 2025, she emerged as the Best Speaker in the first round of the Faculty of Law. She was also nominated in five of the six award categories at the competition and ultimately emerged as the Most Outstanding Speaker of the entire Jaw War 2025 edition. Goodluck has also distinguished herself beyond the University of Ibadan. In 2025, she represented the University of Ibadan at the Amnesty International Nigeria Inter Varsity Debate, defeating 15 schools from across the country to emerge as the overall winner of the competition.
Beyond competitions, Goodluck has held leadership positions within the student community, including serving as the erstwhile President of Obafemi Awolowo Hall.
4. Michael Oluwagunwa
Michael is a multinational award-winning debater and essayist who has recorded notable successes in national and international competitions including 1st position at the 2026 Deal HQ Partners Undergraduate International Essay Competition, 2nd runner up at the Dafe Akpedeye SAN National Essay Competition, 2nd runner up of the LASU National Energy Essay Competition, 2nd runner up of the 2026 Adeola Oyinlade & CO. National Essay Competition, Best Debater at the 2026 OAU PRIMA Strata National Law Debate Championship, 2nd runner up at Sultan Bello hall Dragon Jaw Oratory Contest 2025; Best Speaker at Tech Bilaterals 2025; Co- Winner of Jaw war rise of legends, 2024, Faculty category; Winner of Tedder Word War Debate 2021; Winner of Tedder Bilaterals 2021; Co-winner of Clash 3.0 – UI British Parliamentary Debate Competition; 1st runner up, Justice Taiwo Taiwo debate; appearances at the Youth Leadership Debate Programme organised by LEAP Africa, and several other parliamentary and public speaking contests.
Beyond competitive speaking and writing, Michael has demonstrated leadership in various roles including serving as President of the Faculty of Law Literary and Debating Society, University of Ibadan, Lord President of the Lord Tedder Hall Literary and Debating Society, and the Chamber Head of the H.O.Davies Chamber, UI where he coordinated a landmark legal conference that brought together a Justice of the Supreme Court and leading practitioners from some of Nigeria’s foremost law firms. He has also interned with GELIAS & Co., where he distinguished himself in moot and mock trial advocacy.
Passionate about mentoring the next generation of speakers and writers, Michael is particularly interested in logic and critical thinking, a tool he uses to look out for creativity. He is currently a final-year law student at the University of Ibadan and a blue-belt Taekwondo athlete.
3. Mojoyinola Okikiola Daniel
Daniel, popularly known as Niyel, is a final-year student of the Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, and the President of the Technology and Engineering Students’ Association (TESA), University of Ibadan. He is a public speaker, essayist and policy thinker.
His public speaking journey is marked by consistent excellence, with accolades including Best Speaker Nominee, Jaw War 2023 Faculty Quarter Finals; 2nd Runner-Up, Jaw War Rookie Oratory 2023; Best Speaker, Sultan Bello Hall Literary and Debating Society Induction Debate 2023; 2nd Runner-Up Best Speaker, Bello Bilaterals 2023; 2nd Best Debater, Armory of Words 2024; Best Speaker, Tech Bilaterals 2024; Champion Jaw War 2024 (Faculty Category); 2nd Runner-Up, Young Orators National 2026; and Best Speaker, Jaw War 2026 Faculty Second Round. At every round he competed in at Jaw War 2026, he was nominated for Best Speaker, alongside nominations for Most Outstanding Speaker, Overall Best Speaker, and Overall Best Rebuttal as where he also emerged Champion in the Hall Category of Jaw War 2026.
Outside of public speaking he has also held several leadership positions, including serving as the 48th General Secretary of TESA , Majority Leader at the UI Students’ Union Representative Council (2024/2025), 50th President of TESA-UI, Secretary of the TESA@50 Planning Committee, and Secretary of the TESA Stakeholders Council.
These days, Niyel’s focus is on UI Innovate, TESA, and the Tech Research and Innovation Club, where he explores technology, research, and policy as tools for solving Africa’s hardest challenges and positioning Africa for the future.
2. John Eriomala
John is a public speaker and debater with years of experience, laurels, and a distinct knowledge-based approach to competitive speaking.
His journey at the varsity level began with winning the 2021 Barrister Adebowale Debate Competition, claiming First Runner-Up at the 2021 Jaw War Rookie Oratory Contest, and winning the 2022 Lord Tedder Hall King of The Podium. He led his class team to third place at the 2022 Dr J.A Adeniyi Inter-Class Debate Competition.
After a relatively quiet stint between 2022 and 2024, during which he served as Vice President and President, respectively, of the Great Independence Hall Literary and Debating Society, John went on a historic run in 2024. In January, he was a Joint-winner of the 2024 UCJ UI Prof Francis Egbokhare Australasian Debate Competition with Indy Press and Finalist in the Faculty Category with Clinical Sciences; he captained both teams. In March, he was joint-winner of the Dr J.A Adeniyi Inter-Class Debate Competition, claiming the Best Policy Speaker award. In May, he emerged Best Speaker at the University of Ibadan British Parliamentary Society’s Clash 2.0 Tournament. In June 2024, John was part of a three-person debating team that represented the University of Ibadan at the Bilateral Games against the University of Ghana held at the University of Ghana, Legon. In September 2024, he was joint-winner of the NiMSA South-West Convention Inter-MSA Debate Competition, representing UIMSA, and placed third at the 2024 Association of Medical Students, University of Lagos Healthweek Debate Competition.
He represented the University of Ibadan at the 2025 Lead City Voices and Redeemer’s University Inter-Varsity Debate Competitions. In June 2025, he represented the university at the Obafemi Awolowo University’s Tug of War Inter-Varsity British Parliamentary Debate Competition, emerging third. John led his class to a second consecutive gold medal at the 2025 UIMSA Healthweek Inter-Class Debate, claiming the Best Presidential Debate Speaker award. At the 2025 All Nigerian Universities Debating Championships in UNILORIN, John emerged as a Finalist and the 4th Best Breaking in Public Speaking and was a Semi-Finalist (Partials) in the Debate Category.
At Jaw War 2025, John was Best Speaker at the second leg (Hall) and quarterfinals (Hall), also earning a nomination in the final, where he was a joint winner of the competition, representing Clinical Sciences. He carried this momentum into the December 2025 edition of UI’s Best Speakers tourney, Dragons Jaw, where he emerged winner.
1. Babatimehin Peace (Asiwaju)
Asiwaju is the former President of The Literary and Debating Society, University of Ibadan(TLDS’ UI). He previously served as the General Secretary of the same society in the 2023/2024 session.
He also served as the Dynamite squad captain for Sultan Bello Hall LnD and Speech coach for Faculty of Tech LnD in 2024. His accolades include: Overall best rebuttal, Jaw War 2025, 2× Jaw War Champion (Tech 2024, Bello 2025), Best Debater, AOW’ 24, Co-Winner, FUNAAB Intervarsity debate competition, 2025, Co-Winner, Verbal Vortex, International Adolescent Health Week.
Asides public speaking, he enjoys Church.
LET’S GET THE 12TH RECKONING STARTED, ALREADY!
