The University of Ilorin has emerged champion of the maiden edition of the Kwara Campus Poetry Championship, beating 15 other tertiary institutions at the grand finale held at the Ilorin Innovation Hub, GRA, Ilorin, 24th October, 2026.

Kwara State College of Nursing, Ilorin, came second while Grand Plus College of Education clinched third position in the keenly contested championship themed “Gender Relations, Social Responsibility and Shared Nation Building.”

The grand prize, instituted in honour of Prof. AbdulRasheed Na'Allah, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja and Kwara State University, Malete, for his contributions to performance poetry and literature in the Africa, comes with a cash prize of N1 million. The first runner-up received N500,000 while the second runner-up went home with N250,000.

The championship, which brought together 16 participating institutions from across Kwara State, also featured other award categories including the ARA Aderinoye Literary Prizes for Kwaran and Non-Kwaran Categories, Best Performer (Male and Female), Best Coordinator, Best Performance Aesthetic, and Best Solo Performer.

Convener of the championship, Dr. Al-Amin Muhammad El-Nasir, congratulated all participating institutions for their outstanding performances and creativity, noting that the quality of poetry displayed showed that young Nigerians have the capacity to drive conversations around gender equality and nation-building.

Dr. El-Nasir said the initiative was designed to provide a platform for campus poets to express ideas on social issues, promote literary culture, and foster unity among students in the state.

He commended the participants for interpreting the theme with passion and depth, and reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the championship as an annual platform for youth development through arts.

The grand finale attracted notable stakeholders, including The Emir of Ilori, Mai Martaba, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari ably represented by the Daudu Alapa; Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya, Member representing Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency; the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Nafisat Buge; the Commissioner of Police, ably represented by ACP Onyeabo Oseloka; the Personal Assistant to the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Muritala AbdulRaheem; representatives of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation, Prof. Aisha Gobir, President of Ilorin Women Association among other dignitaries.

The Championship is proudly supported by the Kwara State Government, under the leadership of the Executive Governor of Kwara State and Chairman, Nigeria Governor's Forum, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, CON, Sardauna Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate.

The maiden edition has been described by stakeholders as a major boost for the creative industry in Kwara State, which calls for more institutional support to nurture young literary talents.