The 2025 MIPLG Debate Competition, a prestigious annual event for students from African tertiary institutions, focused on the discipline of Intellectual Property. This year’s competition was held from April 26th to August 23rd, 2025, centred around the theme: “Securing Our Future: Intellectual Property and the Rhythm of African Music.” The competition featured twenty teams, each comprising two members, representing three countries across two different African continents. The representations are as follows in the table below:
| Country | Continent | Number of Team |
| Nigeria | West Africa | 16 |
| Ghana | West Africa | 1 |
| Tanzania | East Africa | 3 |
The competition was honoured to have a panel of distinguished judges specializing in intellectual property (IP) from various African countries. The judging process was divided into two main stages: the preliminary stage, which involved the evaluation of entries, and the oral stages, including the quarter-final, semi-final, and final rounds.
During the preliminary stage, the entries were meticulously evaluated by our brilliant panel of judges: Kiloo Mutua, Gesiye-emi Emiemokumo G Elias, Kanimozhi Thaninayagam, Deborah Ikonne, Ayodeji Olufolahan, Chinelo Umeanozie, Oluwagbemiro Ololade Shobaki, Lynda Agukwe, Christian Odo, and Ifeoma Chinenye Onuike. We sincerely appreciate their outstanding evaluations. Following this rigorous assessment, the following teams advanced to the quarter-final stage:
- Afe Babalola University (Nigeria) – Olaifa Jewel and Chiwenteh Clara
- Bowen University (Nigeria) – Temiloluwa A. Oyerinde and Samiat Ogunyemi
- Lagos State University (Nigeria) – Awonuga Oluwatobioba Praise and Ajeniya Abdulquadri Oluwagbemiya
- Imo State University (Nigeria) – Somto Nwachukwu and Nwosu Lorretta SANL
- University of Dodoma (Tanzania) – Barnabas Laurian Patrice and Jonas Johnson Pendaely
- Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Nigeria) – Iruoma Favour Lazarus and Mmesoma Amanda Obikwelu
- Babcock University (Nigeria) – Ogunji Sylvia Chineye and Arigbede Faith Atinuke
- Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (Ghana) – Steve Afoko and Abugre Ayaaba Mary
The quarter-final round took place on Saturday, July 19th, 2025, with the debate topic: “AI poses a significant threat to the originality and ownership of African musical expression.” Teams argued both for and against the motion, judged by an expert panel including Amarachi Okpara PhD, ACIS, Chukwubuikem I. Obianyo, Geraldine Mbah, Ivy Chege, MCIArb of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Oluwakemi Adeyemi, Maame Akua Mpomaa Boadu, Naa Adorkor Addo of Sam Okudzeto & Associates, Oloruntobi Opawoye Jackson, Etti & Edu, Emmanuel Agherario of Olisa Agbakoba Legal, and Onyekachi Eriobu- Aniede. We are grateful for their contribution to this critical stage.
Following the quarter-final evaluations, four teams progressed to the semi-finals:
- Bowen University (Nigeria) – Temiloluwa A. Oyerinde and Samiat Ogunyemi
- Afe Babalola University (Nigeria) – Olaifa Jewel and Chiwenteh Clara
- Imo State University (Nigeria) – Somto Nwachukwu and Nwosu Lorretta SANL
- Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (Ghana) – Steve Afoko and Abugre Ayaaba Mary
The semi-final was held on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, with the topic: “African traditional music sampling is cultural ‘appropriation’ not appreciation.” The teams debated both sides of the topic, judged by esteemed panelists Omonefe Irabor-Benson (Senior Associate, Stren & Blan Partners), Ghati Nyehita, PhD (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, The South African Research Chair: Intellectual Property, Innovation and Development), Michael Akpan (Principal Partner, Alpha Edge Legal), and Adedoyin F. (Senior Consultant, PriCyai Advisory LP). We deeply appreciate the expertise brought by these judges.
After thorough deliberations, two teams qualified into the final rounds:
- Bowen University (Nigeria) – Temiloluwa A. Oyerinde and Samiat Ogunyemi
- Imo State University (Nigeria) – Somto Nwachukwu and Nwosu Lorretta SANL
The final debate took place on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025, with the topic: “Indigenous Music Piracy: Preservation Strategy or Cultural Exploitation?” The final of debating titans was adjudicated by an esteemed panel comprising Oluwatobiloba Moody, Director of WIPO Nigeria Office; Nancy Samuriwo, Partner at Samuriwo Attorneys; and Lorna Mbatia, Partner at CFL Advocates.
Following a fierce and insightful final session, Team Bowen University (Nigeria), represented by Temiloluwa A. Oyerinde and Samiat Ogunyemi, was declared the winner of the 2025 MIPLG Debate Competition, while Imo State University (Nigeria), represented by Somto Nwachukwu and Nwosu Lorretta SANL, emerged as the runner-up. Congratulations to all winners, runners-up, and participants for their remarkable performances.
This year’s competition was proudly supported by gold sponsors, Stren & Blan Partners, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the Sir Christian Aniukwu Foundation (SCAF).
With the conclusion of this year’s successful competition, the MIPLG Debate Committee extends heartfelt thanks to all participants, moderators, judges, and stakeholders whose contributions made this event a resounding success.
Additionally, we are also proud that the 2025 edition of the MIPLG annual debate has been recognized and featured in The Palm Magazine. This recognition and feature reinforce our resolve and ignite our passion in advancing Intellectual Property (IP) knowledge across our educational institutions. Read the publication in the magazine.
We believe next year’s edition shall be bigger and better. Thank you.
2025 MIPLG Debate Committee
