UNILORIN emerges 1st runner-up at NUC debate championship
By Mustafa Abubakar
The University of Ilorin Debate group has emerged the 1st rRunner-Up of the 2026 National Universities Commission (NUC) Debate Championship, organised by the Commission in collaboration with Royal Rhetorics.
The championship, which is a virtual contest, attracted over 70 Nigerian universities and it was held between March 27 and May 15, 2026.
The University was represented by two teams comprising four students. Team A comprised of Muideen Popoola, a 400 Level student of Information Technology, and Alexander Tivlumun, also a 400 Level Information Technology student. Team B comprised Olowookere Ganiyat, a 500 Level Law student, and Anjorin Teminijesu, a 400 Level student of Life Sciences.
Both teams qualified from the preliminary rounds after impressive performances. However, in line with the competition rule permitting only one team per institution to proceed to the elimination stage, Team “A” represented the University in the outrounds after securing a higher break position.
Before emerging as the 1st Runner-Up at the grand finale held on Friday, May 15, 2026, the University team progressed through the quarter-final and semi-final stages.
In addition to the outstanding performance of the team, all four representatives earned Top 10 National Speaker Rankings. Muideen Popoola emerged as the 2nd Best Speaker nationally, while Olowookere Ganiyat was ranked 3rd Best Speaker; Alexander Tivlumun secured the 5th position, while Anjorin Teminijesu emerged as the 9th Best Speaker in the competition.
The achievement further underscores the commitment of the University to excellence in intellectual engagement, critical thinking, and students’ capacity development at both national and international levels.
The University of Ilorin Quiz, Debate and Innovation Committee, under the leadership of Oluyinka Iyiola, was also commended for its dedication and efforts in preparing the students and ensuring the University recorded another remarkable success.
