The University of Ilorin Debate Club has emerged as the overall winner of the 2025 Crawford University Debate Invitationals (CRUDI), held from Sunday, July 27 to Wednesday, July 31 at Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State.
The competition brought together debate teams from several universities across Nigeria. They debated on important national and global issues such as climate change, artificial intelligence, economy, religion, and politics.
In a surprising but impressive performance, the University of Ilorin dominated the final stage of the competition, with all four finalist teams—B, D, E, and F—coming from UNILORIN. This made the entire grand finale an all-UNILORIN affair.
A student from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Arogundade Timilehin, said the tournament was one of the most challenging and competitive he had ever witnessed.
Speaking after the victory, the President of the UNILORIN Debate Club, Alex Olafisoye, thanked everyone who supported the team. He said the team worked hard and remained united throughout their preparation.
"We didn’t come this far to only come this far. We studied, we stayed focused, and we believed in one another," he said.
Participants from UNILORIN won medals in all categories, including debate, public speaking, and adjudication. Judges and participants from other schools praised their outstanding performance.
The keynote speaker at the opening ceremony, Dr. Solarin Benjamin Olufemi, encouraged the students to take their skills beyond the event. He said the experience should push them to become better advocates and leaders.
The following students represented UNILORIN at CRUDI 2025:
* Akinjayeju Mitchell Temitope
* Alex Olafisoye
* Adio Boluwatife Oluwatosin
* Agbese Jemima Ori
* Abdulwahab Muhammad Awwal
* Ajayi Bolanle Christiana
* Tivlumun Alexander
* Oyewumi Emmanuel Oluwatobi
* Olowookere Ganiyat Oluwakemi
* Ogundeyin Ojumirola Precious
* Salman Opeyemi Sulaiman
* Adediran Timothy
* Sanni Hadiza Oyiza
* Fadiran Eniola Enoch
* Oluwole Victor
* Abdullahi Hassana Maimako
* Haleem Adeyemi
* Popoola Muideen
* Eyitomilayo Ngozi Fajimi
The team is expected back on campus today, where they will be warmly received by fellow students and staff.
The CRUDI debate competition is a yearly event that helps students build confidence in public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership. Other universities present at this year’s edition included LASU, UNILAG, FUTA, UNN, FUTO, AE-FUNAI, and the host, Crawford University and others.
