Poetry Challenge: Meet the faces heading to Abuja

The North-East Zonal Stages of the MPS Media Poetry Challenge 2026 – Arewa Edition have successfully concluded in Bauchi, following several days of intense performances, emotional moments, creative expression and fierce but friendly competition among some of the finest emerging young poetic talents from across the North-East.

The zonal competition, hosted in Bauchi, brought together approximately 200 shortlisted contestants for the Blind Auditions, marking the beginning of an exciting journey designed to discover, develop and provide a national platform for young poets across Arewa. Twenty-nine have now scaled the zonal contest and headed for Abuja for the quarter final show down.

From the stages of the North-East in Bauchi to the Regional Finals quarter finals—here are the remarkable young poets who have earned their place among the voices that will echo in Abuja.

They came with dreams.

They found their voices.

They built friendships.

They conquered the stage.

And now, Abuja awaits!

Meet the talented poets who will carry the hopes, stories, culture and creativity of the North-East to the MPS Media Poetry Challenge 2026 – Arewa Edition Regional Finals.

The journey continues. The stage gets bigger. The voices get louder.

See you in Abuja!