TOP 20 SPEAKERS YOU SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR IN JAW WAR 2025.

THE WAR IS ABOUT TO START! ⚔️🎙️🔥

The drums are rolling, the banners are flying, and the campus is buzzing with one question: “Who will own the stage at Jaw War 2025?”

In less than 24hours, the stage will become a battlefield, the mic, a sword. And the speakers, warriors.

But wait. Every war has its generals. Every stage has its stars. And Jaw War 2025 is no different.

So, we’ve done the scouting, the digging, the listening, and we present to you 20 speakers who are set to set Jaw War 2025 on fire.

Some are legends who’ve stood on this stage before, dripping charisma and leaving thunder in their wake. Others are fearless rookies, hungry to prove that tomorrow belongs to them. Together, they make up the names! You just can’t afford to ignore this season.

This is a carefully brewed list of the voices you should watch, the names you’ll scream, and maybe… the champions you’ll celebrate.

Ladies and gentlemen, tighten your seatbelts, because Jaw War 2025 is about to be fire!!!

This list was created based on the following:

• Number of awards/appearances made by speakers
• Level of delivery in previous tournaments
• Popularity and influence in UI’s public speaking space.

Please note, the list is not written in any particular order and was compiled independently of the society.

20. Faith Uwhokori is a 200-level student of Arts and Social Science Education at the University of Ibadan. He currently serves as the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Induction for the Faculty of Education Literary and Debating Society, while also doubling as the Public Relations Officer of Zik Hall LnD.

Winner of the UI’SU Rookie of the Year and Rookie of the Year, Jaw War: Rise of Legends, as well as a co-speaker in multiple championship victories—including Tech Bilaterals 5.0, Arts Bilaterals, and Jaw War: Rise of Legends—Faith has carved a name for himself as a fast-rising voice in the university’s intellectual community.

Passionate about God, critical discourse, and the power of words, he believes that public speaking is more than a contest of arguments—it is a platform to inspire thought, stir conviction, and ignite change.

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19. Israel Bolarinwa is a 200-level student of Arts and Social Sciences Education, University of Ibadan. A national champion at The Young Orators 2025, he has earned multiple Best Speaker awards and top finishes across Jaw War, Tech Bilaterals, and hall debates. Beyond the stage, he serves as Speech Coach of Great Independence Hall L&D Society and Assistant Speech Coach of the Education Literary and Debating Society, where he continues to inspire young orators. Israel believes in the unrivalled power of consistency as the path to greatness.

18. Adewumi Obisesan is a final-year student of Economics with an active interest in public speaking.

She began her involvement in public speaking when she joined the Obafemi Awolowo Hall Literary and Debating Society, where she has served in different capacities, including Speech Coach and President.

In her department, she also became a member of the Literary and Debating Society. There, she first served as General Secretary and is now in her second tenure as Speech Coach. In these roles, she has been actively involved in mentoring speakers, training teams, and fostering a culture of intellectual engagement. Over time, Adewumi has represented her constituencies in a number of competitions. These include the Lanre Bello Interfaculty Debate, where she participated in both the oratory and debate categories, the ASIDO Oratory Contest, several inter-hall contests, and Jaw War.

17. Ifeanyichukwu Elechi is the current President of the Great Independence Hall Literary and Debating Society (GIHLDS). He has previously served as both Vice President and Public Relations Officer of the society, where he demonstrated strong leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.

Over the years, he has represented the hall on notable debate and public speaking platforms, earning admiration for his eloquence, persuasive delivery, and sharp analytical mind, including Joseph Onele Foundation Oratory Competition, 2024, JAW WAR Rise of Legends, 2024, Queen Idia Hall Clash of Divas, 2023, Tech Bilaterals, 2025, All Nigerian Universities Debate Competition, 2025, amongst others. As a volunteer in the Black Girls Dream Initiative, He teaches secondary school students to debate.

16. Binuyo Samuel is a 400-level Law student and the current Speech Coach of Oludotun Ransome-Kuti Hall. He has represented both the Faculty of Law Literary and Debating Society and Oludotun Ransome-Kuti Hall in multiple competitions. In 2023, he represented Kuti Hall at the Bello Bilaterals, where he emerged as Best Speaker. That same year, he was named Rookie of the Year by the Kuti Hall Literary and Debating Society. Two years later, in 2025, he further distinguished himself by winning the Best Speaker award at the prestigious Great Man of the Podium competition.

Samuel is widely recognized for his calm composure and logical delivery of arguments, qualities that consistently distinguish his presentations. Beyond his own achievements, he is passionate about nurturing new talents and strongly believes that public speaking is a powerful tool to communicate ideas that can change the world.
He has also contributed to the growth of debating on campus through his leadership roles, having previously served as Assistant Speech Coach of the Faculty of Law Literary and Debating Society and as Intellectualis Head of the Kuti Hall Literary and Debating Society.

15. NYONG-BASSEY Nkoyo Unanaowo, popularly known as NINI is a final year student of the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, University of Ibadan. Her commitment to community and intellectual growth is evident in her involvement in various societies like the Queen Idia Hall Literary and Debating Society, where she previously served as its General Secretary while simultaneously serving as the Public Relations Officer for the Environmental Design and Management Literary and Debating Society.

Nini has also held the position of Public Relations Officer for the Architecture Students Association, General Secretary, Queen Idia Hall and is currently serving as the sitting Hall Chairperson of the hall.

14. Abioye Ayomide Jennifer is a final year student whose debut in the University of Ibadan public speaking scene was her emergence as winner at the NUESA Fresher Oratory Contest, organised in 2022. Ever since, she has represented her faculty in various competitions within the University Of Ibadan including Lanre Bello Interfaculty Debate’23, Jaw War’24, Tech Bilaterals, to mention a few.

Ayomide hails from the Obafemi Awolowo Hall – the home of Amazons. At the OAH’s Rise of Amazons competition held in 2023, she ranked as the Silver Amazon. She also represented her hall at Jaw War ROL and as Financial Secretary for the 2023/2024 session.

She took the lead as the Best Orator at NUESA’s annual public speaking competition, Tug Of Words. She also qualified as a semi finalist at the Young Orators Public Speaking Competition, organised by the Peat Phillips Foundation, in affiliation with the ESU. She has served as Speech Coach for both her department and faculty LnD and she currently serves at the President of the Education Literary and Debating Society.

13. SUARA Ayomide is a distinguished public speaker and leader, currently Vice President of both the Kuti Hall Literary and Debating Society (KHLDS) and the Faculty of Technology L&D Society. Known for his balanced logic, witty lines, and explosive delivery, he has represented his hall, faculty, and the University of Ibadan on several stages, including the recent RANRET Intervarsity Oratory Contest, where he emerged first runner-up. He made his JawWar debut in 2024, leading Kuti Hall to the Semi-finals and has maintained an unbeaten debate streak ever since. At the 2024 Tech Bilaterals, he made history as the first speaker to win two separate 5-minute rounds on the same day, defeating both Science and Arts. A 500-level Civil Engineering student, Suara has also served as Financial Secretary, General Secretary, and Speech Coach of KHLDS, and was first runner-up for Overall Best Speaker at the Great Man of the Podium (GMOP) competition. With JawWar 2025 approaching, he is set to once again deliver with unmatched wit and power.

A 500-level Civil Engineering student, Suara has also served as Financial Secretary, General Secretary, and Speech Coach of KHLDS, while mentoring upcoming speakers through various trainings. He was nominated as Overall Best Speaker at the Great Man of the Podium (GMOP) competition, where he emerged as first runner-up.
With JawWar 2025 approaching, Suara is poised to once again deliver with unmatched insight, wit, and passion on the grand stage.

12. Joshua Abidoye is a Law student at the University of Ibadan and President of KHLDs. A passionate public speaker, he is known for his clarity, presence, and ability to inspire action. Beyond the stage, he enjoys teaching public speaking, mentoring others to find their voice and use it as a tool for transformation.

11. Mong, Victor Udo. is a 600 level Medical Student and a member of both Clinical Sciences LnD and Alexander Brown Hall LnD where he served as team lead of House Gandhi in 2024. He is a national public speaking champion and was one of the top five British Parliamentary (BP) debaters at the University of Ibadan in 2024. He has represented the University of Ibadan at numerous public speaking and debate competitions.

Victor is the winner of The Orators National Public Speaking Competition, 2025, first runner-up at the 2024 National Association of Nigerian Students, Oyo state, Intervarsity Debate, and best speaker at the finals of the 2024 Dr. J. A. Adeleye Inter-Class Debate. His accolades also include top placements at the Lead City, AMSUL, and Engr. Jubril Sanusi intervarsity debates. He currently serves as the President of the Alexander Brown Hall literary & debating society, which houses the Clinical Sciences and Dentistry literary & debating society.

10. Ademola Idowu (Phocus) is a 500 level student of the Faculty of Law. He is a member of the Lord Tedder Hall Literary and Debating Society and the Faculty of Law Literary and Debating Society.

Ademola was the First-Runner up at the Lord Tedder Hall King of the Podium Oratory Contest, 2021, and at the Independence Hall Inter-Hall Oratory Competition, 2021. In 2022, Ademola co-emerged as First-Runner up at the CLASFON National Debate. He also jointly won the Daytopia Universities Pitch Competition in the same year.

In January 2023, he was a Semi-finalist at the ASFL Inter-Country Debate, co-representing Nigeria. In June 2023, he got a Best Speaker Award at Word War IV. In October 2023, he was the Overall Best Speaker at Tedder Hall Bilaterals Debate, 2023. In Nov 2023, he was the Overall Best Speaker Award at Tech Bilaterals Debate. In May 2024, he was a Joint Winner of the Clash 2.0 British Parliamentary Debate, and finished as the Second Best Speaker. He was also the Best Speaker at the Green Institute’s World Environmental Day Debate, 2024. He finished as the First Runner Up at the Lanre Bello Inter-faculty Debate, 2024.

Ademola is currently the Speech Coach of Lord Tedder Hall Literary and Debating Society.

9. Amaechi Patrick OKELUE is a 600 Level student of the Faculty of Dentistry. He is a member of the Alexander Brown Hall Literary and Debating Society where he currently serves as the Dentistry coordinator after his stint as both Dentistry coordinator and Team Lead of House Luther. As Team Lead, his House topped as the best in the Society winning back to back in-house debate sessions. He represented the Faculty of Dentistry at the Quarter Finals of the earlier 2024 edition of Jaw War against Faculty of The Social Sciences.

He also represented the Faculty of Dentistry at the Debate Category of the 2024 JCINUI Lanre Bello Inter-Faculty Debate Competition where he emerged as the Best Debater and overall Winner of the competition with his Oratory speaker.

8. Mojoyinola Okikiola Daniel popularly known as “Niyel” is a 400-level student of the Faculty of Technology of which he is the Faculty President-Elect. He currently serves as the President of the Technology Literary and Debating Society and the Majority Leader of Sultan Bello Hall at the University of Ibadan Students Representative Council.

Renowned for his compelling content, creative logic, and exceptional internalization, Niyel is a multi-award-winning public speaker. He debuted at the Bello Bilaterals 2023, where he was Second Runner-Up for Best Speaker and Top Speaker in the quarterfinals of Jaw War 2023 where he emerged as the second Runner-Up Jaw War Rookie Oratory. He also earned the title of Overall Best Speaker at the Sultan Bello Hall Induction Ceremony 2023. In 2024, he achieved further acclaim by winning the Verbal Vortex Debate during the International Adolescent Health Week and securing the First Runner-Up position for Best Debater at Armory of Words ’24.

He was also a part of the Faculty of Technology’s Jaw War 2024 championship-winning team and was crowned Overall Best Speaker at Tech Bilaterals 2024 as well as a Finalist in the 2025 Young Orators National Competition.

7. Lilian Chinedu Osunwa is an electrifying communicator whose commanding presence and literary finesse continue to ignite audiences. A 400 level Nursing student at the University of Ibadan pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing Science (B.N.Sc), Lilian has already distinguished herself as a beacon of oratory and written expression. Beyond her academic pursuits, Lilian has served as the Vice President and Speech Coach II of the Obafemi Awolowo Hall and Faculty of Nursing Literary & Debating Society, respectively.

Her rhetoric has earned her numerous accolades, including the Rookie of the Year (Jaw War 2023), Winner, Faculty of Nursing Oratory Contest (FOC) in 2023, 2nd best Speaker, Inter-faculty round, Quarter-finals (Jaw war 2025), 2nd runner-up position, Olubusade Olamilekan Memorial Essay Competition, 2md runner up position, Late Ayodeji Femi-Pearse Essay Competition, among many others. Most importantly, she is a firm believer in Christ, whose faith anchors her purpose and fuels her impact.

6. Folusho Olu-Adegbola is a passionate public speaker and versatile student leader. He currently serves as the President of the University of Ibadan Medical Students’ Association (UIMSA). He also leads as the President of the Clinical Sciences Literary and Debating Society, having previously held the role of Vice President of Alexander Brown Hall’s Literary and Debating Society.

Renowned for his eloquence and engaging presence, Folusho has left lasting impressions on some of the most prestigious public speaking stages, including Jaw War 2024, Jaw War: Rise of Legends, Lanre-Bello Inter-Faculty Debate, Armoury of Words, amongst others, captivating audiences with his persuasive delivery and sharp wit.

5. Oyedijo, Olanrewaju Segun is a Final year student of the department of Forest Production and Products.

He is a 2 time president of the literary and debating society of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources and also serves currently as the president of Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall Literary and Debating Society making him a double president.

He has represented and won awards with his hall, faculty, and UI on various occasions. Some of such are: Winner of 2021 Vet medicine’s Olumide Oyebanji inter faculty oratory contest, winner of Kuti hall’s King of the Podium inter hall impromptu contest, 2021, Runner-up at the 2024 NOA inter-campus debate. Olanrewaju was also part of the team that led Zik hall to her first ever Jaw war win back in 2024. He came 2nd runner up at the 2025 Dragon’s Jaw competition that saw UI’s best battle it out on stage courtesy of Sultan Bello Hall’s LnD.

4. Oluwagunwa Michael, is a 400 level law student at the University of Ibadan.

He currently serves as the President of the Faculty of Law Literary and Debating Society, Lord President of Lord Tedder Hall Literary and Debating Society, and the Chamber Head of H.O. Davies Chamber, faculty of law, UI.

He has made appearances and won debate competitions both in and out of UI, Winner of Tedder Word War Debate 2021, Winner of Tedder Bilaterals 2021, Co-winner of Clash 3.0, UI British Parliamentary Debate club, Co- Winner of Jaw war rise of legends, 2024, Faculty category, Best speaker at Tech Bilaterals 7.0, 1st runner up, Justice Taiwo Taiwo Debate, Semi finalist of the Youth Leadership Debate Programme by LEAP AFRICA, amongst others.

He is a young leader on the rise, eager to learn and lead.

3. Sakeenah Kareem is a dynamic and versatile public speaker whose experience spans debate, oratory, panel moderation, and more. She has proudly represented her Faculty, and the University of Ibadan at numerous competitions including the 2025 All Nigerian Universities Debating Competition. Since her jaw war debut in 2023, her journey is marked by notable achievements including but not limited to; 2nd runner-up at the 2023 Lead City Intervarsity Debate; Best Speaker (Second Round) at Jaw War (ROL); Nominee, most outstanding speaker, Jaw war (ROL); Best Speech at Jaw War (ROL); and Winner of the Jaw War Nationals Championship.

Currently serving as the President of the Faculty of Arts Literary and Debating Society, Sakeenah also pioneered the first edition of the Rhetoric Rumble, featuring an Inter-departmental oratory and Bilaterals.

2. As a public speaker, John has served in multiple capacities and earned laurels. He is an erstwhile President of The Great Independence Hall Literary and Debating Society (2023-2024) and currently a member of the Alexander Brown Hall Literary and Debating Society. As a member of the Great Independence Hall Literary and Debating Society, he won the 2021 Barrister Adebowale Debate Competition, was First Runner – Up at the 2021 Jaw War Rookie Oratory Contest, and was the Winner of the 2022 Lord Tedder Hall King of The Podium.

In 2024, John went on a historic run in public speaking. In January 2024, he was listed as one of the 20 Best Public Speakers at the University of Ibadan by the Literary and Debating Society, UI, ahead of Jaw War 2024. This was followed by becoming a Joint-winner of the 2024 UCJ UI Prof Francis Egbokhare Australasian Debate Competition with Indy Press and Finalist in the Faculty Category with Clinical Sciences; captaining both teams in the process. In March, he was joint-winner of the Dr J.A Adeniyi Inter-Class Debate Competition, claiming the Best Policy Speaker award in the process. He had previously won joint third place at the 2022 Edition. In May, he emerged Best Speaker at the University of Ibadan British Parliamentary Society’s Clash 2.0 Tournament.
In June 2024, John was part of a team of three debaters that represented the University of Ibadan at the Bilateral Games with the University of Ghana held at the University of Ghana, Legon. In September 2024, he was joint-winner of the NiMSA South-West Convention Inter-MSA Debate Competition, representing UIMSA, and was third place at the 2024 Association of Medical Students, University of Lagos Healthweek Debate Competition.

In November 2024, he was listed once again, as one of the Top 20 Best Speakers to look out for ahead of Jaw War: Rise of Legends; this time, in the top ten. His appearance at Jaw War: Rise of Legends made it his fourth consecutive appearance as a speaker at the famed event. He represented the University of Ibadan at the 2025 Lead City Voices and Redeemer’s University Inter-Varsity Debate Competitions. In June 2025, he represented the university at the Obafemi Awolowo University’s Tug of War Inter-Varsity British Parliamentary Debate Competition, emerging third. John led his class to a second consecutive gold medal at the 2025 UIMSA Healthweek Inter-Class Debate, claiming the Best Presidential Debate Speaker award in the process.

1. Oloye Aweda Bolaji is a 600-level Veterinary Medicine student.  He is the erstwhile UISU president and a former president of The Literary and Debating Society, University of Ibadan.

He is a veteran Jaw War Speaker and was a part of winning team Lord Tedder Hall won Jaw War: Rise of Legends.

He was a runner up at Kenneth Mellanby Hall King of the Podium Inter-hall Oratory Competition (2020), and was also a runner up at Independence Hall inter-hall Oratory Competition (2020), amongst others.