UI Defeats LAUTECH, Lead City to Win Jaw War 2025 National Oratory Title

The University of Ibadan has emerged victorious in the Jaw War 2025 Inter-Varsity National Oratory Competition, defeating LAUTECH and Lead City University in a fiercely contested finale that brought Nigeria’s biggest campus debate tournament to an exciting close on Saturday.

The grand finale, held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), University of Ibadan, marked the end of a two-month-long intellectual festival that drew thousands of students, alumni, lecturers, and dignitaries. Organised by the Literary and Debating Society, University of Ibadan (TLDS), Jaw War has grown over the past 11 years into the country’s most prestigious university debate championship, recording an average of more than 5,000 attendees per round.

UI’s national victory came after a series of high-stakes presentations and rebuttals, with the institution outperforming LAUTECH, which placed second, and Lead City University, which secured third place. The win further strengthened UI’s reputation as Nigeria’s leading hub for oratory excellence.

Within the university categories, the competition also produced new champions. In the Engr. Femi Babalola Inter-Faculty Cup, the Faculty of Clinical Sciences clinched first place, while the Faculty of Education emerged as runner-up. In the Prof. Kayode Babalola Inter-Hall Cup, Sultan Bello Hall defeated Queen Idia Hall to claim the crown as UI’s top debating hall.

Speaking at the event, President of TLDS, Babatimeyin Peace, described the 2025 edition as one of the most impactful in Jaw War’s history.

“Today marks the grand finale of an event we began on September 16. We’ve had weeks of intense competition, Inter-Faculty, Inter-Hall, Rookies, and the Nationals. The essence of Jaw War is engagement. We teach tolerance, analyse socio-economic issues, and encourage solutions,” he said.
he added:

“This is our 11th edition. From Trenchard Hall to the ICC, we’ve grown in size, influence, and national recognition.”

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, praised TLDS for its role in nurturing intellectual growth among students.

“The Literary and Debating Society is the only society every student in this university belongs to. It remains a platform for critical thinking, confidence-building, and intellectual discourse,” he said.

The Father of the Day, Engr. Femi Babalola, encouraged participants to maximise the platform for personal and leadership development.

“This platform prepares youths for the future. It teaches them how to engage with ideas and articulate their thoughts. I urge students to remain focused and keep learning,” he advised.