Federation of Ibadan Students’ Union Holds “MASOGEESI” Tertiary Institution Competition

 Federation of Ibadan Students’ Union Holds “MASOGEESI” Tertiary Institution Competition 

Esther Ogunleye

The Federation of Ibadan Students’ Union University of Ibadan Chapter (FIBSU’UI), on the 12th of November, 2025, has held a tertiary institution competition titled MASOGEESI: Prof. Remi Raji Tertiary Institution Competition, that brings together students from different institutions to showcase their eloquence and mastery of the Yoruba language.

Taking place at Room 32, Faculty of Arts building, the competition had in attendance dignitaries and attendees from different institutions including Oyo State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Eleyele, Ibadan, Federal School of Statistics l, The Polytechnic Ibadan, and the host school, University of Ibadan.

The event, fashioned after the famous MASOYIBO by Olalekan Fabilola, was organised to celebrate Yoruba cultural heritage situating it among the student community. It featured a rich programme of speeches, competitions, chants, and questions and answers, with all activities conducted in the Yoruba language.

The Hounouree, Professor Remi Raji, a distinguished academic and epitome in African literature in his speech inspired participants on the importance of preserving the Yoruba language and promoting cultural identity in the modern world while the competition is designed to foster cultural awareness among tertiary students.

Taking to the podium, Basit Olarewaju, the National President of NAIS, announced the competition results, highlighting that the grading was based on how much English was used by the participants and how they pronounced the words, among other criteria. With this, the University of Ibadan represented by Muhammed Kẹ́hìndé Okùnọlá emerged as the winner, Oyo State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Eleyele, Ibadan, came first runner-up, and The Polytechnic, Ibadan, took second runner-up.

In an interview with NASELS Press, the president of FIBSU’UI reiterated that the event was born out of the fact that people find it difficult to explain and express themselves in Yoruba language. “We are all Yorubas and if anything, Yoruba should be our primary language and means of expression. Also, we had to change the name from MASOYINBO to MASOGEESI to look for a better way to express ourselves by saying that all we are going to do is speak Yoruba.” Drawing more attention to why the event was dedicated to Prof. Remi Raji, she commented that he is an epitome of African literature and leadership. “He is also our staff adviser. Instead of inviting a big person, we also have a big person. He understood our initiative and supported us,” she added.

When asked why he felt the program was dedicated to him, the Honouree, Professor Remi Raji stated that the association honoured him with the competition as a celebration of himself. He further highlighted that the ultimate goal of the event is to encourage the use and development of our indigenous languages especially the Yoruba language so that it does not go extinct because a language that is not actively used among its population will go into extinction. “We all should not only be able to understand the language, but also speak it and use it in daily interactions”, he concluded.

The MASOGEESI: Prof Remi Raji Tertiary Institution Competition is not just an event, but a celebration of cultural heritage and the enduring value of the Yoruba language in shaping a vibrant and inclusive society.






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