The University of Ibadan Students' Union (UI'SU), under the Deboye Temidayo-led executive council "Team Diligent," launched its highly anticipated Freshers' Week for the 2025/2026 academic session this week, a celebration of intellect, talent, sport, and student life for the newest members of Nigeria's premier university.
The week's most talked-about intellectual event was the Inter-Hall Oratory Competition, held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the iconic Trenchard Hall.
A 100-level student and resident of the Great Independence Hall, Alexander Okelue, emerged winner of the 2026 inter-hall freshers' oratory competition, jointly organised by the Students' Union and the UI Literary and Debating Society.
Other top finalists included Matthias Kingsley Ezekiel of Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, who placed second, and Afolabi Janet Ibukun of Queen Idia Hall, who came third. The contest featured participants from eight halls of residence.
This year's victory marks the second consecutive win for Independence Hall in the freshers' inter-hall oratory competition cementing Katanga's well-earned reputation as a breeding ground for outstanding student orators.
Speaking after his victory, Alexander was full of gratitude. "I owe it all to God actually, because it was through Him and through the people that He brought that mentored me that I was able to win," he said, crediting members of the Literary and Debating Society of Independence Hall for their guidance.
Beyond the oratory battle, the week has been packed with a rich variety of activities designed to ease the 4,430 newly matriculated freshers into campus life. The programme included the One Day UI'SU President, where a fresher, the winner of the presidential debate, got to experience a day in the shoes of the Students' Union President as well as a Freebies Arena, a Sports Day bringing halls together in friendly athletic competition, and a high-energy Campus Rave that gave new students their first real taste of UI's vibrant social scene.
With a 9.4% acceptance rate for this year's application cycle, UI is one of the nation's most selective schools , and Freshers' Week serves as the soft landing these exceptional young minds need before the demands of academic life fully set in.
Freshers' Week 2026 draws to a close today, Saturday, April 11, with the much-anticipated Variety Night, the grand finale of the week's celebrations. The event, which traditionally features talent showcases, cultural displays, and the crowning of student stars, is expected to be a fitting end to what has been a memorable and spirited week of welcome for UI's newest generation of scholars. The curtain may be coming down on Freshers' Week, but for the Class of 2030, their journey at the Premier University is only just beginning.
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