Twenty-six talented young poets from across Nigeria's North-West region have advanced to the national quarter-finals of the MPS Media Poetry Challenge 2026 Arewa Edition. The poets were selected from approximately 200 shortlisted contestants who participated in a week of zonal auditions in Kaduna metropolis. The auditions featured intense Blind Auditions, Battle Rounds, and Knockout Stages.
The North-West zonal leg brought together contestants from Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. The 26 qualifiers will represent the North-West at the Regional Finals in Abuja this November. They will compete against top contestants from the North-East and North-Central zones through the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and Grand Finale.
The Founder and CEO of MPS Media, Professor Ahmed Adamu, emphasized that the initiative extends far beyond crowned honors. He noted that young contestants used poetry to speak about various issues, including peace, insecurity, education, culture, identity, values, leadership, women and girls' empowerment, social responsibility, and the future of young people.
According to Professor Adamu, the zonal stages showcased the power of poetry in addressing social issues. The 26 contestants proceeding to Abuja are carrying not only their individual dreams but also the stories, hopes, and aspirations of the North-West region. The MPS Media Poetry Challenge has become a significant platform for young poets to express themselves.
The 2026 edition marks a significant expansion for the MPS Media Poetry Challenge, transitioning from a state-level event to a major regional initiative spanning the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Kaduna event drew key support from government and private sector partners invested in the creative economy.
The Kaduna event was sponsored by Zamcare Initiative and ASAD Furniture, with Her Highness Hajiya Habiba Shehu Danfulani providing support. The MPS Media Poetry Challenge has become a major platform for youth empowerment, peacebuilding, and cultural preservation across Northern Nigeria.
With the North-West selection finalized, focus shifts to the national stage in Abuja. While only a select few will reach the Grand Finale, MPS Media reiterated that its core mission remains focused on long-term youth empowerment, peacebuilding, and cultural preservation. The challenge aims to provide a platform for young poets to showcase their talents and promote social change.
Key points
- Twenty-six young poets from Nigeria's North-West region have qualified for the national quarter-finals of the MPS Media Poetry Challenge 2026.
- The poets will compete against top contestants from the North-East and North-Central zones in Abuja this November.
- The MPS Media Poetry Challenge aims to promote youth empowerment, peacebuilding, and cultural preservation across Northern Nigeria.
