Five students of Kwara State University have turned creative ideas into a national victory after their team emerged overall winner of the 2026 Creative Advertising Pitch Competition organised by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria.
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The KWASU team defeated competitors from other Nigerian universities at the competition held during ARCON’s fourth Annual Colloquium at the D’Podium Event Centre in Ikeja, Lagos.
The colloquium was themed “The Future of Advertising: Role of Platforms, People and Regulation,” bringing together students and professionals to examine the changing advertising industry.
The student competition tested participants in areas including creativity, strategic thinking, innovation and presentation.
KWASU emerged first with 489.5 points, ahead of the University of Ilorin, which placed second, and Rivers State University, which finished third.
The victorious team consisted of five students from KWASU’s Department of Mass Communication: Olusola Oyedele Oladeji, Adeosun Omotoyosi, Adeola Adeyemi Precious, Olagunju Boluwatife and Olawoyin Habeebulahi.
Their presentation impressed the judges for its originality, strategic thinking and delivery.
The competition was not simply a test of classroom knowledge. Students were required to demonstrate how effectively they could transform ideas into persuasive communication campaigns before professionals working within the advertising industry.
The cash rewards added another dimension to the competition.
Reports on the contest indicate that KWASU received the top prize of N1 million, while the second-placed University of Ilorin received N750,000 and Rivers State University earned N500,000. Kaduna State University and Lagos State University placed fourth and fifth respectively and received N250,000 each.
The result provides a significant boost for KWASU’s Mass Communication programme and highlights the role of practical competitions in preparing students for careers in the creative industry.
For the students, the victory offers something that cannot easily be reproduced in a classroom: the experience of presenting ideas before industry professionals and competing against peers from other universities.
As advertising continues to evolve through digital platforms, new technologies and changing consumer behaviour, the ability to combine creativity with strategy is becoming increasingly valuable.
The KWASU team’s victory suggests that Nigeria’s next generation of advertising professionals is already finding its voice.
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