By Rauf Mujeeb

The 2026 edition of JAW WAR has concluded on Wednesday, October 14, with Alexander Brown Hall (ABH) and the Faculty of Technology emerging winners in the hall and faculty debate categories, respectively.

The grand finale, held at the International Conference Centre, UI, also featured the national quiz competition, rookie oratory contest and individual awards. 

In the hall category, ABH defeated Kuti Hall with a score of 85.6 per cent against 83.1 per cent. The Faculty of Technology also defeated the Faculty of Law in the faculty category, scoring 83.95 per cent against Law’s 79.8 per cent.

In the national quiz competition, the University of Ibadan finished first with 84.4 per cent, winning a laptop. Rivers State University came second with 80.8 per cent and won an iPad, while Redeemer’s University placed third with 80.1 per cent, receiving a Redmi Pad 2.

Other constants include Olabisi Onabanjo University which finished fourth with 74.6 per cent, followed by the University of Ilorin in fifth place with 72.6 per cent. 

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology came sixth with 71.4 per cent, while Lagos State University placed seventh with 71 per cent. Lead City University finished eighth with 69.8 per cent.

In the rookie oratory category, Feranmi Adejumo emerged winner with 81 per cent, followed by Olaiya Samuel with 80.25 per cent and Kayode Emmanuel with 79.75 per cent.

The individual awards recognised outstanding performances across the competition. 

Bartholomew Samuel received the Best Speaker award, alongside a cash prize of N100,000. He also won the award for Overall Best Rebuttal.

Oluwagunwa Michael won the awards for Overall Best Speech and Overall Best Finalist, receiving N100,000 sponsored in honour of the late Emmanuel Abisola Osoko. A minute of silence was observed in honour of the deceased.

The Audience Choice Award went to Ojo Esther, representing Awo Hall and the Faculty of Education. Babatimehin Peace, the second speaker for the Faculty of Technology, was also named Overall Best Speaker of the Night.

Dr Akin also Tella received an award in recognition of his support for JAW WAR 2026. Certificates and awards of participation were also presented to delegations from the visiting universities.

Also Present at the event were the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale who was also given an award of recognition; the University’s registrar, Mr Ganiyu Saliu; the Dean of Students, Professor Demola Lewis; and other dignitaries.