7th Sept, 2026. Abuja, Nigeria—Following the successful hosting of the MPS Media Poetry Challenge 2026 – Arewa Edition in Bauchi in August, the competition has now shifted to Kaduna, to host the North-West Zonal Stages, the organisers have announced.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the MPS Media, Prof Ahmed Adamu in a statement said the auditions and qualifiers from the North West region has been fixed for 12th to 18th of September, 2026.
The North-West Zonal auditions will bring together contestants from seven states — Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara — for three stages of the competition in Kaduna State.
The winners will later proceed to the Abuja quarter finals to compete for the grand finale where the Arewa Poet of the Year 2026 will be crowned.
The venue is Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Murtala Square, Kaduna. The contestants will compete not only for progression in the competition, but also for an opportunity to build confidence, develop their craft, meet other young people and use poetry to tell stories about their communities, aspirations and the issues that matter to them.
Meanwhile, the poetry challenge has received a sponsorship boost from Her Highness Habiba Shehu Danfulani, Lu’u’lu’un Matan Gusau, the Patron and Founder of Zamcare Initiative and ASAD Furniture. This is a continuation of her previous support to the MPS Media as she is widely recognised for her commitment to community development, humanitarian service, youth empowerment and philanthropy. Through her organisations and personal initiatives, she has continued to support young people and contribute to
“Every young person carries a potential that deserves to be discovered, encouraged and given the opportunity to flourish,” Shehu Danfulani said. “Supporting initiatives that give young people a platform to learn, express themselves and develop their talents is one of the ways we can contribute to building a stronger future for our communities.”
While appreciating this kind gesture, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MPS Media and Organiser of the MPS Media Poetry Challenge, said: “Her Highness Habiba Shehu Danfulani represents the kind of leadership and philanthropy that creates opportunities rather than simply providing assistance. What makes her support particularly meaningful is that she has believed in these young people even before they stepped onto the competition stage.
“She previously supported young people to access the MPS Media Poetry Academy through scholarships, and today she is extending that commitment by supporting the North-West Zonal Stages. This is a powerful demonstration of what happens when individuals who care about their communities invest directly in the potential of young people.”
The MPS Media Poetry Challenge 2026 – Arewa Edition is designed to be more than a competition. It is a platform for youth empowerment, cultural expression, leadership development, peacebuilding and the discovery of emerging creative voices across Northern Nigeria.
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