The highly anticipated MPS Media Poetry Challenge 2026 – Arewa Edition, following its successful inaugural phase in Bauchi during August, has now transitioned to Kaduna to commence its North-West Zonal Stages, as officially announced by the organisers.
Professor Ahmed Adamu, the esteemed Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MPS Media, confirmed in a recent statement that the auditions and qualifying rounds for the North-West region are scheduled to take place between 12th and 18th September, 2026.
This zonal audition event is set to convene contestants from seven distinct states: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara. Participants will engage in three rigorous stages of competition, all hosted within Kaduna State. The designated venue for these proceedings is the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, located at Murtala Square in Kaduna.
The competitors will not merely vie for progression within the challenge but also for invaluable opportunities to cultivate self-assurance, refine their poetic craft, establish connections with fellow young individuals, and leverage poetry as a medium to narrate stories about their respective communities, articulate their aspirations, and address issues pertinent to their lives.
In a significant development, the poetry challenge has received a substantial sponsorship boost from Her Highness Habiba Shehu Danfulani, who holds the title of Lu’u’lu’un Matan Gusau. Her Highness is also the esteemed Patron and Founder of the Zamcare Initiative and ASAD Furniture. This renewed support builds upon her previous contributions to MPS Media, demonstrating her consistent dedication to community development, humanitarian endeavours, youth empowerment, and broader philanthropic activities.
Through both her organisational ventures and personal initiatives, Her Highness has consistently championed young people. Reflecting on her commitment, Shehu Danfulani stated, “Every young person carries a potential that deserves to be discovered, encouraged and given the opportunity to flourish. Supporting initiatives that give young people a platform to learn, express themselves and develop their talents is one of the ways we can contribute to building a stronger future for our communities.”
Expressing profound gratitude for this benevolent gesture, Professor Adamu, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MPS Media and the primary organiser of the Poetry Challenge, remarked: “Her Highness Habiba Shehu Danfulani represents the kind of leadership and philanthropy that creates opportunities rather than simply providing assistance. What makes her support particularly meaningful is that she has believed in these young people even before they stepped onto the competition stage.”
He further added, “She previously supported young people to access the MPS Media Poetry Academy through scholarships, and today she is extending that commitment by supporting the North-West Zonal Stages. This is a powerful demonstration of what happens when individuals who care about their communities invest directly in the potential of young people.”
The MPS Media Poetry Challenge 2026 – Arewa Edition is conceived as far more than a mere competition. It stands as a comprehensive platform dedicated to youth empowerment, fostering cultural expression, nurturing leadership capabilities, promoting peacebuilding initiatives, and facilitating the discovery of nascent creative voices throughout Northern Nigeria.