African Human Rights Inter-University Essay Competition Winners Announced

AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS INTER-UNIVERSITY ESSAY COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED

 

The African Secretariat of the International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM) has officially announced the winners of its recently concluded African Human Rights Inter-University Essay Competition. The announcement marks the culmination of months of rigorous reading, evaluation, and deliberation by the judging panel, which comprised Dr. Sinyuy Geraldine and Thomas Block.

This year’s competition attracted over 80 submissions from eight African countries, representing more than 45 tertiary institutions, including universities, monotechnics, and colleges of education. The entries reflected a wide geographical spread and diverse intellectual perspectives, reflecting the growing relevance of human rights discourse within African academic circles.

According to the Coordinator of the Competition, Wole Adedoyin, the initiative continues to serve as a flagship platform for promoting academic and social activism among young Africans. “This year’s competition saw entries from Nigeria, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, and Zambia. The engagement of students from a wide array of disciplines shows that human rights education is gaining ground as a vital part of African academia and civic engagement,” Adedoyin stated.

The essays tackled critical and often underrepresented themes in human rights discourse, including gender equality, domestic violence, migration rights, youth empowerment, and environmental justice. Participants demonstrated exceptional analytical skills, offering thought-provoking perspectives and practical solutions to issues that continue to challenge Africa’s development.

The coveted first place was awarded to Agnus Dei by Pacella Chukwuma-Eke (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Nigeria), a compelling piece that blended literary elegance with a sharp analysis of contemporary human rights struggles. In second place was The River That Couldn’t Speak: A Story of Environmental Justice by Ajayi Olayinka James (University of Ibadan, Nigeria), a poignant reflection on environmental degradation and its human cost. The third-place prize went to Bridging the Gap: Human Rights, Youth Empowerment, and Africa’s Developmental Promise by Michael Ombasa Nicodemus (Machakos University, Kenya), which offered an optimistic yet realistic roadmap for youth-driven change.

The competition also recognized exceptional works with honorable mentions. These included Why Didn’t She Leave – An Essay on Domestic Violence by Hassan Mistura Temilola (Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria); The Cost of Loss: How Parental Death Deepens Social and Economic Inequality in Africa by Fabrice Niyonsenga (University of Rwanda – College of Education); Puppet Leaders: The Illusion of African Citizens’ Participation in Government by Toroitich Jalody (Kenyatta University, Kenya); Memories of a River by Ugonna Nmesoma (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria); and Bandages Without Borders: Reclaiming Healthcare Access and Migration Rights in Africa by Uzoechina Godswill Chidubem(University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria).

Dr. Sinyuy Geraldine, one of the judges, commended the depth of research, clarity of expression, and originality evident in the submissions. “These young scholars are not only writing about change—they are actively shaping the intellectual foundation for it. The quality of work we reviewed this year is a testimony to the intellectual powerhouses Africa’s institutions are producing,” she remarked.

The African Human Rights Inter-University Essay Competition remains a crucial part of IHRAM’s broader mission to integrate the arts and humanities into the fight for justice, equality, and dignity for all. Through initiatives like this, IHRAM continues to nurture a generation of thinkers, advocates, and leaders ready to confront Africa’s human rights challenges with insight and courage.

Wole Adedoyin expressed gratitude to all the participants, judges, and supporters who contributed to the success of this year’s edition. He reiterated IHRAM’s commitment to expanding its reach, ensuring that more students across Africa have access to platforms that celebrate intellectual excellence while advancing the cause of human rights.

 

ight African countries, representing more than 45 tertiary institutions, including universities, monotechnics, and colleges of education. The entries reflected a wide geographical spread and diverse intellectual perspectives, reflecting the growing relevance of human rights discourse within African academic circles.

According to the Coordinator of the Competition, Wole Adedoyin, the initiative continues to serve as a flagship platform for promoting academic and social activism among young Africans. “This year’s competition saw entries from Nigeria, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, and Zambia. The engagement of students from a wide array of disciplines shows that human rights education is gaining ground as a vital part of African academia and civic engagement,” Adedoyin stated.

The essays tackled critical and often underrepresented themes in human rights discourse, including gender equality, domestic violence, migration rights, youth empowerment, and environmental justice. Participants demonstrated exceptional analytical skills, offering thought-provoking perspectives and practical solutions to issues that continue to challenge Africa’s development.

The coveted first place was awarded to Agnus Dei by Pacella Chukwuma-Eke (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Nigeria), a compelling piece that blended literary elegance with a sharp analysis of contemporary human rights struggles. In second place was The River That Couldn’t Speak: A Story of Environmental Justice by Ajayi Olayinka James (University of Ibadan, Nigeria), a poignant reflection on environmental degradation and its human cost. The third-place prize went to Bridging the Gap: Human Rights, Youth Empowerment, and Africa’s Developmental Promise by Michael Ombasa Nicodemus (Machakos University, Kenya), which offered an optimistic yet realistic roadmap for youth-driven change.

The competition also recognized exceptional works with honorable mentions. These included Why Didn’t She Leave – An Essay on Domestic Violence by Hassan Mistura Temilola (Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria); The Cost of Loss: How Parental Death Deepens Social and Economic Inequality in Africa by Fabrice Niyonsenga (University of Rwanda – College of Education); Puppet Leaders: The Illusion of African Citizens’ Participation in Government by Toroitich Jalody (Kenyatta University, Kenya); Memories of a River by Ugonna Nmesoma (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria); and Bandages Without Borders: Reclaiming Healthcare Access and Migration Rights in Africa by Uzoechina Godswill Chidubem(University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria).

Dr. Sinyuy Geraldine, one of the judges, commended the depth of research, clarity of expression, and originality evident in the submissions. “These young scholars are not only writing about change—they are actively shaping the intellectual foundation for it. The quality of work we reviewed this year is a testimony to the intellectual powerhouses Africa’s institutions are producing,” she remarked.

The African Human Rights Inter-University Essay Competition remains a crucial part of IHRAM’s broader mission to integrate the arts and humanities into the fight for justice, equality, and dignity for all. Through initiatives like this, IHRAM continues to nurture a generation of thinkers, advocates, and leaders ready to confront Africa’s human rights challenges with insight and courage.

Wole Adedoyin expressed gratitude to all the participants, judges, and supporters who contributed to the success of this year’s edition. He reiterated IHRAM’s commitment to expanding its reach, ensuring that more students across Africa have access to platforms that celebrate intellectual excellence while advancing the cause of human rights.