The North-West zonal audition and stages of the MPS Media Poetry Challenge 2026 – Arewa Edition has successfully come to an end with 26 contestants qualifying for the next stage—the quarterfinals to be held in Abuja.
The competition brought together about 200 shortlisted young poets from Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara, hosted in Kaduna metropolis from 12 to 18 September, 2026.
They competed through Blind Auditions, Battle Round and Knockout Stage in a keen contest and high display of talent, creativity and courage.
At the end of the Knockout Stage, 26 contestants emerged as the successful representatives of the North-West and will now proceed to the Regional Finals in Abuja in November.
There, they will join successful contestants from the North-East and North-Central zones for the next phase of the competition, comprising the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Grand Finale.
A competition that became much more
The Kaduna experience demonstrated that the MPS Media Poetry Challenge is much more than a search for a poetry champion.
Throughout the zonal stages, young contestants used poetry to speak about peace, insecurity, education, culture, identity, values, leadership, women and girls’ empowerment, social responsibility and the future of young people.
The stage became a space where young people could tell their stories, confront important social issues, celebrate their heritage and connect with others from across the North-West.
Professor Ahmed Adamu, Founder and CEO of MPS Media and Initiator of the MPS Media Poetry Challenge, described the Kaduna experience as another important milestone for the initiative.
“From the beginning, our vision has been much bigger than finding a winner. We want to create a platform where young people can discover their voices, develop their talents, tell their stories and use their creativity to contribute positively to society.
“What we witnessed in Kaduna reaffirmed that this is far more than a competition. We saw young people speaking about the issues that matter to them, celebrating their identity, challenging social problems and inspiring one another.
“The 26 contestants proceeding to Abuja are carrying not only their individual dreams, but also the stories, hopes and aspirations of the North-West.”
Support for young talent
The Kaduna stages also received support from individuals and organisations who believe in investing in young people and the creative economy.
A notable supporter was Her Highness Hajiya Habiba Shehu Danfulani, Lu’ulu’un Matan Gusau, who sponsored the North-West zonal stages through her Zamcare Initiative and ASAD Furniture.
Her support reflects her broader commitment to youth development and empowerment. She had previously supported young people to participate in the MPS Media Poetry Academy, helping aspiring poets gain access to training and mentorship.
Her involvement in the competition further demonstrates how private individuals, businesses and community-focused initiatives can contribute to creating opportunities for young people.
The Kaduna State Government also provided generous support towards the hosting of the North-West Zonal Stages.
A Regional Journey
The 2026 edition represents a major expansion of the MPS Media Poetry Challenge from its successful state-level foundation into a region-wide platform covering the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The competition has been structured around three zones — North-West, North-East and North-Central — with successful contestants from each zone advancing to Abuja.
The North-West stages in Kaduna have now concluded, and attention turns to the Regional Finals in Abuja in November.
The 26 successful North-West contestants will join qualifiers from the other zones as the competition enters its most decisive stages.
From hundreds of young voices who began this journey, only a select group will ultimately reach the Grand Finale.
But beyond the competition, MPS Media says its broader objective remains the creation of a sustainable platform for youth empowerment, cultural preservation, peacebuilding, creative development and positive social expression.
As the North-West prepares to meet the other zones in Abuja, one thing is certain:
The voices that began their journey in Kaduna are not finished speaking.
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