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A Mass Communication student of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Ogoke Nzubechukwu Victoria has emerged winner of the 2025 Zaccheus Onumba Dibiaezue Memorial Libraries (ZODML) Poetry Challenge 2025.
Ogoke who is from the Department of Journalism and Media Communication was crowned the winner from the five shortlisted finalists out of the over 2, 300 students that submitted entries from 140 tertiary institutions.
The theme of the ZODML Poetry challenge 2025 is “Seeds of Tomorrow” and the competition, which kicked off in September 2025 is meant for students in public universities.
At the award presentation ceremony, which took place at the Tayo Aderiniokun Hall of University of Lagos (UNILAG) attracted authors, schools, family members of the shortlisted students and representative of UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Augustine Nwagbara of the Department of English.
Ogoke whose poem was written in Pidgin English got the unanimous votes of the three judges: Tade Ipadeola, chair of the panel of judges, Ms. Achalugo Chioma Ilozuma, ANA prize winner and Ms. Aduke Gomez, a poet and author of children’s stories.
For her effort, Ogoke was presented with a trophy and a cheque of N500, 000.
Second position went to Ajisafe Rachael Aduragbemi, a female Law student of Olabisi Onabanjo Universty, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State and cash prize of N300, 000. The 3rd place went to Eliongema Jones Udofia, male student of the Department of Quantity Surveying, University of Uyo, he was presented with a cheque of N200, 000.
Two others in the honourable list, Igbokwe Chima Roseline (4th) from Abia State University and Fadipe Aliyah Ajoke (5th) from College of Nursing Science, Igbobi, Lagos were presented with cheques of N100, 000 each.
In her speech, Co-Founder of ZODML, Mrs. Ifeoma Esiri, said 2,356 students submitted entreies from 140 tertiary institutions across 36 states and the Fderal Captital Terriorty. She added that in comparison, last year’s edition had 1,445 submissions from 120 institutions across 35 states and the FCT.
According to her, the growth revealed a powerful truth: students in public tertiary institutions across the country are hungry for spaces where their talents can take root, unfold, and be seen.
Esiri disclosed that the theme was chosen not merely as a poetic flourish, but as a reminder of how the future works, noting, “a seed is small, quiet, and almost unnoticeable. Yet inside it is an entire forest waiting for the right moment to emerge. Seeds carry potential—unrealized, unseen, but undeniable.”
Said she: “The 10 shortlisted poems we celebrate today are exactly that: small beginnings with the power to grow into something greater. These poems explore the questions we are learning to ask, the identities we are shaping, and the dreams taking root within us.”
She revealed that ZODML made a deliberate effort to nurture the ‘garden’ of talent by significantly increasing the prizes for the 2025 edition. She said the winner received ₦500,000, up from ₦250,000, the first runner-up, ₦300,000, up from ₦150,000, the second runner-up, ₦200,000, up from ₦100,000. And two honourable mentions received ₦100,000 each, up from ₦50,000.
Esiri explained that the increases are ZODML way of encouraging young writers—helping their creativity flourish and their confidence grow.
“I want to remind every student here that this day represents more than the celebration of poems. It is about the future you are quietly building. Every line written, every idea questioned, every story told becomes a root shaping the person you are becoming,” ZODML CEO stated.
Speaking on behalf of the judges, Chioma Ilozumba, said the entries are collated through submission on the website. The condition is that you must be a student of a public institution of higher learning in Nigeria. It is important to clarify that no age benchmarks were placed; we had masters’ students asking if they could send in entries and as long as they were students in a public school, it was okay.
She explained that the entries were collated anonymously, assigned numbers, and sent to the judges in folders.
“We read through 2,536 entries. We then present our top 20 to each other. From which we decide on a top ten list. And share with ZODML. We then relook the new selection of ten. And go back and then relook and get five. Some of our parameters include, diction, ability to stick to the theme, etc.
“I mention that because some entries were really good but had no bearing to the theme. After our top 5, we relook and then present our Winner, 2nd and third position. Other years, we have debated long into the night about winning. This year, the winning poem was nos 1 unanimously, and the selection of second and third were also the shortest time we have spent in previous years,’’ Ilozumba noted.
The judge revealed that some of the poems addressed the failures of societal institutions and governance, some of them tackled vices, including those common amongst their peers like Internet fraud, hunger for quick fame and money without hard work.
She added: “I like to say that hope is a solid requirement on which the foundation of resilience is built. Some of these poems explored the theme so deeply I was like goodness, whoever this is, wherever they are, please make everything okay for them.
“The winning poem speaks the language of the Nigerian youth without forfeiting art. It encapsulates the spirit of a generation that claims the future even as it acknowledges the present. It is a poem that dares to find new language, new purpose and new resilient energy. This new voice will travel far.” — Tade Ipadeola, Winner or the Nigeria Prize for Literature 2013 and chair of the Panel of Judges, ZODML Poetry Competition 2025.
In her remarks, UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, said the ZODML Poetry Challenge competition is dear to the university and that the competition enables the youths to express themselves freely in a creative form.
Ogunsola who was represented by Prof. Nwagbara noted: “We must nurture the seed of tomorrow. Young people are purposely restless and want to express themselves freely. We are in a society that stifles innovation and creativity. Our society is incrementally destroying creativity and knowledge.”
She commended ZODML for promoting poetry amongst young Nigerians, adding, “listening to the five shortlisted students, language and creativity came alive in their poems.
