By David Oladimeji
The Grand Finale of the 2026 Fola Ojutalayo’s Annual Maritime Speech-Making Competition (FOAMSC) produced a thrilling display of eloquence, intellect, and persuasive communication as some of Nigeria’s brightest undergraduates battled for oratory supremacy before a distinguished panel of judges and a cheering maritime audience.
When the dust settled after weeks of rigorous pre-elimary assessments and the final presentations, it was Mariam Olamide Joahua, a 19 year old 200-level Law student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), who emerged as the overall winner, delivering an outstanding performance that earned her a remarkable final presentation score of 93 points.
The speech competition, organized as an integral part of activities, marking the 10th Anniversary of the AMSAY Conference attracted exceptional participants from leading tertiary institutions across the country, showcasing the growing culture of academic excellence and public speaking among Nigerian youths.
Mariam’s victory did not come as a surprise to keen observers of the competition, having consistently demonstrated brilliance throughout the preliminary stages, she recorded impressive scores of 85.5 and 85 in Stages One and Two respectively, before sealing her dominance with an exceptional final presentation.
Her triumph crowned weeks of preparation, research, and dedication, further reinforcing the reputation of Obafemi Awolowo University as a breeding ground for outstanding communicators and future leaders.
Emerging in second position was Ozoemena Wisdom Amarachi, a 400-level Law student of Imo State University (IMSU), whose compelling presentation earned him a final score of 88 points. His confident delivery and depth of argument won admiration from both judges and participants.
The battle for the top spots remained fiercely contested until the final round, with contestants separated by only a few points after the earlier stages of the competition. This heightened anticipation among spectators who eagerly awaited the announcement of the final results.
Claiming third place was another OAU representative, Onwe Chisom Martha, a 300-level Law student, who secured 86 points in the final presentation. Her articulate speech and commanding stage presence underscored the high standard of participants from the institution.
Completing the list of finalists was Bamgbelu Oluwatobiloba, a 100-level Law student of OAU, who finished fourth with a respectable score of 85 points. Despite being visually impaired among the finalists, he impressed the judges with his confidence and remarkable composure.
The competition highlighted the importance of effective communication as an essential leadership skill, especially among young Nigerians preparing to shape the future of the nation’s maritime, legal, and socio-economic sectors.
Observers noted that beyond the scores and rankings, the event served as a platform for intellectual engagement, critical thinking, and constructive dialogue among students from diverse academic backgrounds.
Organizers commended all participants for their commitment to excellence, emphasizing that the competition was designed not only to identify winners but also to nurture future eloquent speakers, advocates, policymakers, and industry leaders.
The AMSAY Conference Speech-Making Competition has grown into one of the most respected youth intellectual contests in Nigeria, attracting increasing participation from universities and institutions across the country.
This year’s edition further demonstrated the abundance of talent within Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, proving that the nation’s future remains bright in the hands of young people willing to challenge themselves through knowledge and innovation.
As applause echoed through the venue and winners stepped forward to receive recognition, the winner, Mariam Olamide Joshua bagged an award and a Certificate of Excellent Speech together with the sum of N500,000 cash prize sponsored by Capt Dr Fola Ojutalayo and others as well as full Scholarship from Engr Greg Ogbeifun, starting from now until her University graduation.
Meanwhile, the First Runner up, Wisdom Amarachi Ozoemena won the sum of N400,000 cash prize with a Certificate of Excellent Speech; while the Second Runner up, Chisom Martha Onwe and the Third Runner up, Bamgbelu Oluwatobiloba got the Sum of N220,000 and N100,000 respectively including receiving Certificates of Excellent Speech as well.
Speaking after emerging victorous, the winners took turns to express their gratitude to the organisers and the sponsors, promising to be worthy ambassadors of the AMSAY Conference initiative while also maximising the opportunities the platform has offered them for career advancement in the maritime sector.
