WSICE unveils top 10 essay finalists as Soyinka mentors young scholars @92nd birthday celebration
By Editor
THE organisers of the 17th Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) 2026 are pleased to announce the emergence of the top 10 essay finalists from Ogun State in the annual national essay competition held to celebrate Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka at 92 years of age.
The finalists were selected after a rigorous assessment of entries submitted by secondary school students across Ogun State. While the identities of the top 10 finalists are set out below, the first, second and third prize winners will be officially unveiled on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, alongside winners from other participating states across Nigeria.
The successful finalists from Ogun State are
Popoola Nadia – Ahmadiyya Science College, Faparusi Tioluwani – The Ambassadors School, Ota, Oseni Tolulope Nurudeen – Iganmode Grammar School, Ota, Adedokun Elemide Hilmoh – Adedokun International Schools, Aina Oluwadarasimi – Migration Model College, Ijebu-Ode, Olusanwo Precious Semilore – Iganmode Grammar School, Adegbola Mujibat – Alameda Grammar School (Senior), Ado-Odo, Iheme Praise Chinenye – Akesan Community Grammar School, Oladipo Nasir Ahmad – Ahmadiyya Science College and Akinnawonu G. Oluwabukunmi – Redeemer’s High School.
Speaking ahead of the event, the programme directorate of WSICE disclosed that the award ceremony forms part of the “Do Your Own Thing” programme, one of the flagship activities of this year’s 17th Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange, tagged WS@92.
The highlight of the day will be the personal appearance of Professor Wole Soyinka, who will receive the finalists, mentor them, and lead an interactive Q&A session designed to inspire critical thinking, creativity, leadership and cultural consciousness among the young participants. The students will also participate in a range of cultural engagements and intellectual activities that have become synonymous with the annual exchange.
The annual essay competition continues to provide a platform for identifying and nurturing outstanding young thinkers while promoting excellence in writing, civic responsibility, and the values that Professor Soyinka has consistently championed throughout his lifetime.
According to the directorate, the continued success of the essay competition demonstrates the enduring relevance of Professor Soyinka’s commitment to intellectual freedom, cultural identity and youth development.
Producer, Youth Programme of WSICE, Linda Amadi-Olowookere, noted that the interaction with Professor Soyinka remains one of the most anticipated aspects of the exchange, offering students a rare opportunity to engage directly with Africa’s first Nobel laureate in Literature in an atmosphere of learning, mentorship and inspiration.
The Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) has, over the past 17 years, grown into one of Africa’s foremost cultural and educational platforms, connecting young people with literature, the arts, civic engagement and intercultural dialogue.
The organisers congratulate all the finalists and wish them success as they await the announcement of the overall winners on Wednesday, 15th July 2026.
