The University of Ibadan (UI) has officially flagged off the 2025 edition of Jaw War, widely regarded as Africa’s biggest public speaking competition, with a strong focus this year on food security and nutrition.
The interfaculty leg of the six-week contest, themed “Africa in the First Century and Beyond: Power, Progress and Possibility,” was launched at the New Faculty Lecture Theatre, drawing participants and guests from across the university community and beyond.
This year’s edition is organised in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), with the opening round dedicated to exploring the role of youth in addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in Africa.
Speaking at the launch, Peace Babatimileyin, President of The Literary and Debating Society (TLDS), said the competition would span seven rounds and had been in preparation since May.
“Today’s opening round is held in collaboration with GAIN to spotlight the crucial themes of food security and nutrition. Our debaters have been preparing rigorously, and we expect to hear profound insights on how young Africans can shape global conversations around food systems,” he said.
Describing Jaw War as more than a speaking contest, Babatimileyin added, “This is a classroom of ideas. It is a platform where the brightest minds challenge one another and ignite conversations that matter. At TLDS, we see this as part of grooming the next generation of African leaders—those who can think critically, speak clearly, and act decisively for the continent’s progress.”
On the choice of theme and partnership, Tomisin Odunbaku, National Coordinator of the Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network (SBN) under GAIN, said the collaboration was strategic in tackling Nigeria’s worsening malnutrition crisis.
“Malnutrition remains a major issue. Three out of five children in Nigeria are malnourished, and nine out of ten people consume food that is contaminated. With the President’s recent declaration of a state of emergency on food security, we believe it is critical to involve young people in proffering solutions,” he said.
Odunbaku noted that GAIN views the university platform as a launchpad for innovation, youth engagement, and private sector action in the food and nutrition space. He expressed optimism that ideas generated from the debates could influence national policies and real-world interventions.
Former TLDS President and immediate past Students’ Union President, Aweda Bolaji, also praised the competition’s impact.
“Jaw War is always a spectacle. It gives students from different halls and faculties the opportunity to speak on issues that matter. Year after year, it reminds us that Nigerian youth have both the intellect and the courage to lead Africa toward a better future,” he said.
In a similar vein, the Assistant General Secretary of the UI Students’ Union, Olawoye Taiwo Emmanuel, described the annual contest as a unifying and empowering tradition within the university.
“There is an energy that Jaw War brings which is hard to find anywhere else. It is not just about debating; it is about identity, pride, and showcasing the intellectual strength of UI students to the world. It is a tradition that keeps getting better,” he said.
The 2025 edition will feature a series of knockout rounds between halls of residence and faculties, culminating in a grand finale in October. The winning team will be crowned in what has become a longstanding tradition at Nigeria’s premier university and one of the continent’s most respected intellectual platforms.
