A 500-level Law student of the University of Abuja, Amra Onize Salihu, has brought honour to Nigeria after emerging overall winner at the Inter-Universities Speech Contest organised by the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The victory followed an impressive performance by the Nigerian representative, who outclassed contestants from The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ghana to secure the regional title. Her triumph further highlights the growing capacity of Nigerian universities to produce students capable of excelling on international academic platforms.
Amra earned the opportunity to represent Nigeria after emerging winner of the national selection exercise organised by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). Her success at the regional competition demonstrated not only her outstanding public speaking abilities but also her sound understanding of issues relating to financial integrity, anti-money laundering measures and regional cooperation.
For her exceptional performance, she received the Winner’s Plaque, a Certificate of Honour and a cash prize of 1,000 United States dollars, becoming one of the few Nigerian students to attain the prestigious regional recognition.
The achievement has been celebrated within the University of Abuja community as another indication of the institution’s commitment to producing students who combine academic excellence with leadership, advocacy and communication skills capable of making an impact beyond the classroom.
Speaking on the accomplishment, Dr. Nasiru Mukhtar, who coached the Nigerian team with technical support from Mr. J. R. Gogol of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, expressed delight over the outcome, noting that the students displayed remarkable dedication throughout the preparation process. According to him, “we are very proud of this achievement,” adding that the students who represented the Faculty of Law, the University of Abuja and Nigeria “were very committed to winning this contest.”
The competition also featured another 500-level Law student of the university, Abah Goodness Ojonoma, who attended the regional event as an observer, providing additional representation for the institution during the programme.
Amra’s victory is expected to further inspire law students and undergraduates across Nigerian universities to participate actively in intellectual competitions that develop critical thinking, advocacy, research and public speaking skills. Education administrators have increasingly emphasised that such platforms complement classroom learning by exposing students to international standards, multicultural engagement and practical policy discussions.
The success also reinforces the importance of partnerships between universities and national institutions such as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit in preparing students for global academic engagements. Through mentorship, specialised coaching and international exposure, Nigerian students continue to demonstrate their ability to compete successfully with their peers across Africa.
For the University of Abuja, the regional triumph adds to its growing record of student accomplishments and reflects the institution’s commitment to nurturing graduates who possess not only strong academic foundations but also the confidence, leadership qualities and professional competencies required to represent Nigeria with distinction on the global stage.
