By Felix Khanoba
A 500-level law student of the University of Abuja (UniAbuja ), Amra Onize Salihu, has emerged winner of the 9th Inter-Universities Speech Contest organised by the Intergovernmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).
The regional competition was held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where Salihu outperformed contestants from The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ghana to clinch the coveted title.
Salihu represented Nigeria at the contest after emerging victorious in the national selection exercise conducted by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
For her outstanding performance, she received the Winner’s Plaque, a Certificate of Honour and a cash prize of $1,000.
Another 500-level law student of the university, Abah Goodness Ojonoma, attended the competition as an observer.
The University’s Director of the Law Clinic, Dr Nasiru Mukhtar, led the coaching of the team alongside Mr J. R. Gogol of the NFIU, who provided technical coaching.
Reacting to the achievement, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, praised the students and members of the Faculty of Law for bringing honour to the institution.
He said:”Our students from the Faculty of Law have once again made the University proud. I congratulate them on this great achievement. I also commend the Faculty of Law and the Law Clinic for their efforts in the training and mentorship of the students.
“We will continue to work even harder to enhance the University’s global visibility through academic excellence and outstanding achievements such as this.”
