Young Scholars Set To Meet Soyinka As WSICE Announces Essay Finalists
Top Essay Finalists Emerge for WS@92 Celebration
THE organisers of the 17th Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) 2026 have announced the Top 10 essay finalists from Ogun State in the annual national essay competition organised to commemorate the 92nd birthday of Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.
The finalists emerged after a rigorous assessment of essays submitted by secondary school students across Ogun State. While the finalists have been unveiled, the first, second and third prize winners will be announced alongside winners from other participating states during the official award ceremony.
The Ogun State finalists 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, Ado-Odo), Iheme Praise Chinenye (Akesan Community Grammar School), Oladipo Nasir Ahmad (Ahmadiyya Science College) and Akinnawonu G. Oluwabukunmi (Redeemer’s High School).
Soyinka to Mentor Emerging Young Intellectuals
The organisers disclosed that the award ceremony forms part of the “Do Your Own Thing” programme, one of the flagship events of this year’s WS@92 celebration.
A major highlight will be the appearance of Professor Wole Soyinka, who will personally receive the finalists, mentor them and lead an interactive question-and-answer session designed to stimulate critical thinking, creativity, leadership and cultural awareness.
The students will also participate in literary discussions, cultural performances and intellectual engagements that have become defining features of the annual cultural exchange.
Promoting Literary Excellence and Civic Values
According to the WSICE Directorate, the essay competition remains an important platform for identifying and nurturing young talents while encouraging excellence in writing, civic responsibility and independent thinking.
The organisers noted that the programme reflects Professor Soyinka’s lifelong commitment to intellectual freedom, cultural identity and youth empowerment.
Producer of the WSICE Youth Programme, Linda Amadi-Olowookere, described the interaction with Soyinka as one of the most anticipated moments of the annual exchange, giving students a rare opportunity to engage directly with Africa’s first Nobel Prize winner in Literature.
A Growing Platform for Cultural Engagement
Over the past 17 years, the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange has evolved into one of Africa’s leading literary and cultural initiatives, connecting young people with literature, the arts, civic engagement and intercultural dialogue.
The organisers congratulated all finalists and wished them success ahead of the announcement of the national winners, expressing confidence that the competition will continue to inspire future generations of writers, scholars and cultural ambassadors.
