By Sunday Precious Nnamdi
The Literary and Debating Society, University of Ibadan today, Friday 8th of May unveiled the fixtures, theme, and schedule for 12th edition of Jaw War, 2026 during a press conference and seeding event held at the Infinix Resource Centre, University of Ibadan ahead of the annual debating tournament.
The official statement delivered by the President, Goodness T. AKINLOYE revealed that this year’s edition will run under the theme, “Africa and the Burden of Tomorrow: Power, Identity and the Future of Freedom,” saying the competition will focus on conversations around governance, media, finance, culture, identity, and Africa’s future in a rapidly changing world.
The organisers also announced that LED timer screens introduced in previous editions will remain in use to improve time management and overall tournament experience. The National Debate Championship is set to return for its 6th edition, bringing together universities from across South‑West Nigeria.
In the faculty category, Veterinary Medicine will face Technology, while Public Health takes on Economics. Other fixtures include Science versus Law, Basic Medical Sciences against Renewable Natural Resources, Environmental Design and Management against Pharmacy, Agriculture versus Computer Science, Social Sciences versus Dentistry, Clinical Sciences against Education, and Nursing against Arts.
For the hall category, Kenneth Mellanby Hall will compete against Obafemi Awolowo Hall, while Ahmadu Bello Hall faces Alexander Brown Hall. Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall will take on Ransom Kuti Hall, Independence Hall faces Queen Idia Hall, while Lord Tedder Hall will compete against Queen Elizabeth II Hall.
According to the tournament schedule, the Jaw War Rally will take place on August 30, while the opening ceremony and the first leg of the hall‑category debates are set for September 1. Faculty category debates will begin on September 3, with the finals expected to hold on October 10.
Former President of the The Literary and Debating Society, University of Ibadan, Babatimehin Peace, was also present at the event. The President of the University of Ibadan Union of Campus Journalists, Jesutomiwo Adebumowa served as the umpire and supervised the seeding of topics during the press conference.
Jaw War remains one of the University of Ibadan’s biggest intellectual competitions, drawing participation from halls, faculties, and student debaters across the university each year.
Credit: UIMSA Press
