The MPS Media Poetry Challenge 2026 – Arewa Edition has concluded its zonal stages across the North-East, North-West and North-Central, recording 637 performances and producing 81 contestants for the Abuja Regional Finals.
The competition, which promotes youth empowerment, cultural preservation and peacebuilding through poetry, will proceed to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and grand finale in November 2026.
The North-West recorded the highest number of performances with 302, followed by the North-East with 198 and North-Central with 137, a statement by the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MPS Media and Initiator of the MPS Media Poetry Challenge, Prof. Ahmed Adamu said.
The performances comprised 313 blind auditions, 138 battle-round performances and 186 knockout-stage performances.
The 81 qualified contestants will compete in Abuja, with the field expected to narrow to 10 finalists who will battle for the titles of Grand Champion and Poet of the Year.
Participants explored themes including peace, unity, cultural identity, governance, youth empowerment, climate awareness and social responsibility.
“But the numbers tell only part of the story,” said Adamu. “Behind every performance is a young person who has dared to speak, to be heard, to express an idea and to believe that their voice matters.”
He said: “We are building more than a competition. We are building a family, a network of young creatives, and a platform for mentorship, confidence, courage, leadership and opportunity. We want these young people to understand that their stories can become the beginning of something greater.”
The MPS media founder also said the initiative was designed to go beyond competition by helping young people discover their talents and use their voices to promote peace and preserve cultural values.
Adamu expressed appreciation to previous partners and called for additional support from corporate organisations, foundations, development institutions, philanthropists and media organisations to expand opportunities for young creatives.
He added that the platform sought to present a positive narrative about Arewa by showcasing the creativity, resilience and potential of young people in Northern Nigeria.
The MPS Media Poetry Challenge 2026 – Arewa Edition is a youth-focused initiative designed to discover and nurture poetic talent while promoting cultural identity, positive values and social change through artistic expression.
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