By Ibrahim Adeyemo
The semi-final stage of the JAW WAR’26 competition concluded on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the Large Lecture Theatre (LLT), Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ibadan.
Having kicked off on September 1, 2026, the prestigious tournament featured intense head-to-head debates across two divisions: Halls of Residence and Faculties. Four constituencies, two from each category, emerged victorious to book their places in the grand finale.
In the Hall category, Obafemi Awolowo Hall faced Alexander Brown Hall, while Lord Tedder Hall squared off against Ransome Kuti Hall. In the Faculty category, the Faculty of Agriculture debated the Faculty of Technology, while the Faculty of Education took on the Faculty of Law.
The event was hosted by Hameeda Titilayo and Marvelous Salako. The panel of judges was led by Chief Judge Prince Adeoye, alongside second judge Mr Ebenezer (popularly known as Speaking Eben) and third judge Mr Shola Adebayo.
Under the debate format, main speakers were allotted five minutes, second speakers were given three minutes, and rebuttal rounds lasted one minute.
The Faculty Category
The day’s opening debate featured Agriculture against Technology on the motion:
” Organic agriculture offers a more sustainable long-term solution to global food security than genetically modified organisms.”
Representing Agriculture, Falade Michael weighed GMOs against organic farming on the scales of practicability, asking:
“Judges, which is better: recurring inputs every season, or recycling inputs? GMOs’ increased consumption of soil nutrients and the resulting decline in soil quality prove that it is not suited for long-term sustainability. Having proven this, GMOs have fallen short, just like my opponents’ debate.”
Countering for Technology, Shoneye Victoria argued: “Ladies and gentlemen, before making a transfer, we check and re-check transactions so we don’t make errors. My opponents didn’t check the logic well before making their transaction. They have argued sustainability without considering its most vital key: climate change. Making payments requires transaction charges, yet my opponents did not account for the ultimate charge of organic agriculture—land.”
The second faculty matchup saw Education face Law on the motion: “Returning Cultural Artefacts to Countries of Origin: A Moral and Restorative Necessity?”
Representing Education, Israel Bolarinwa presented his counter-arguments:
“My opponents have argued beautifully, but just like the artefacts we are discussing today, those arguments are out of place. These cultural artefacts are not meant to be displayed, let alone displaced. The absence of a moral motive does not make it moral.”
For Law, Adekunle Bukunmi delivered the final speech of the regular faculty round.
“Welcome back from that lecture from the Faculty of Education, but let us return to logic and sensibility in today’s debate. Faculty of Education, we understand that you are desperate to win this debate, and we are desperate too, but our desperation has not blinded us to basic understanding. A part is not a whole. My opponent is confusing returning artefacts with restoring identity. They have shown you their necessity, but we have shown you our reality. Judges, over to you.”
Hall Category Debates
Following the faculty matches, attendees enjoyed a musical interlude and a giveaway session sponsored by Patmus Market.
The Hall category commenced with Obafemi Awolowo Hall (represented by Ayodele Oyinkansola and Akanmu Nafisah) opposing Alexander Brown Hall (represented by Akinjare David and Ibekwe Laurette) on the motion:
“Digital Tax Monitoring: An Invasion of Corporate Privacy.”
The final hall clash featured Lord Tedder Hall (represented by Bartholomew Samuel and Ayomide Awofeso) and Ransome Kuti Hall (represented by Femi Agbabiaka and Oyedeji Peter) on the topic:
“Godfatherism: A Necessary Support System or a Barrier to Meritocracy?”
Sudden-Death Impromptu Round
The announcement of the results took a dramatic turn when the judges revealed a tie between the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Law. Without disclosing the tied scores, the second judge, Mr Ebenezer, took the stage to announce an impromptu tie-breaker round.
Contestants were assigned a fresh motion:
“Youthquake: The Solution to Nigeria’s Political Instability”, lots were drawn to determine their stance. They were given five minutes to prepare on stage, during which Patmus Market conducted another prize presentation.
The tie-breaker then kicked off with the first speaker from the Faculty of Law taking the podium.
Michael Oluwagunwa
Young people make up 65% of the country’s population… So of course, 65% can drive a change…
Bolarinwa Israel from the Faculty of Education steps up to present his counter-argument and rounds up 1 minute and 1 second later.
Michael, thank you for being an inspiration, but this young boy who looks up to you now battles with you.
The individual award for Best Speaker was awarded to Uwokhori Faith, first speaker for the Faculty of Education, who earned a top score of 87%.
Official Results & Finalists
The semi-final concluded with the official score announcements:
Hall Category
- Alexander Brown Hall — 74.5% (Qualified)
- Obafemi Awolowo Hall — 70.75%
- Ransome Kuti Hall — 76.6% (Qualified)
- Lord Tedder Hall — 70.6%
Faculty Category - Faculty of Technology — 78.0% (Qualified)
- Faculty of Agriculture — 74.4%
- Faculty of Education — 83.7% (Qualified after Impromptu Round)
- Faculty of Law — 79.3%
Alexander Brown Hall, Ransome Kuti Hall, the Faculty of Technology, and the Faculty of Education have officially qualified for the JAW WAR Grand Finale, which will take place at the International Conference Centre (ICC), University of Ibadan.
