About LSUDS

Built on valour in speech.

The Lagos State University Debate Society is the official public speaking society of LASU — a community committed to developing exceptional communicators, critical thinkers, and human leaders.

Year founded

Administrations

VIII

LISTEN editions

∞

Valour in Speech

Our story

How it all began.

In 2018, five students at Lagos State University, Ojo, gathered with a shared conviction: that excellence in communication is inseparable from excellence in leadership. From that belief, they built the Lagos State University Debate Society.

LSUDS was established as the official public speaking society of LASU — with a mandate to represent the institution at external competitions, train members in the art of public speaking, and organise speaking events that serve the wider student community.

From the very beginning, the society set itself apart not merely as a debating club, but as a human development platform — a place where voices are refined, ideas are sharpened, and leaders are made.

2018

Society founded at LASU Ojo by five pioneering members.

2019

LISTEN Edition I (SEED) launches — the event that would become Nigeria's biggest storytelling platform.

2021

LISTEN Edition II (VISION) held under President Oluwafemi Akanmu.

2022

LISTEN Edition III (VOYAGE) marks the society's national footprint under President Oladunni Akinsanmi.

2023

LISTEN Edition IV (ADVENTURE) and Word War IV deepen the society's training pipeline.

2024

LISTEN Edition V (RESILIENCE) widely described as an outstanding edition under President Boluwatife Kolawole.

2025

LISTEN Editions VI (EMERGENCE) & VII (ZENITH) — two editions in one year, signalling rapid growth.

2026

LISTEN Edition VIII (MOMENTUM) held April 2026 under current President Asikaburu Miracle Ezinne.

Mission

Why we exist.

The LASU Debate Society is the official public speaking society of Lagos State University, saddled with the responsibility of representing the institution at competitions, training members, and organising speaking events necessary for the development of the student community.

LSUDS is driven by the motivation to improve the art of public speaking among students and to enhance leadership capabilities through structured training. The society adopted the motto 'Valour in Speech' as the emblem of this commitment.

Vision

Where we are going.

To be the leading public speaking and leadership development society in Nigeria — raising the finest communicators and human leaders who will represent Lagos State University and impact the wider society.

Our motto

Valour in Speech

Principles that guide us.

Six values form the backbone of everything LSUDS does — from training sessions to competitions to community events.

Excellence

LSUDS holds itself to the highest standards in public speaking, competition, and community representation — consistently leading as the foremost oratory society at LASU.

Impact

Every event, training, and competition is designed to create measurable change in the lives of members and the broader audience they serve.

Leadership

Beyond oratory, LSUDS is committed to raising human leaders — individuals who can inspire, guide, and serve their communities long after graduation.

Integrity

Members are trained to ground their speaking in genuine knowledge, evidence, and authentic experience — fostering honest, credible communication.

Community

LSUDS is inclusive, collaborative, and welcoming of students across all faculties and backgrounds. The society is, at its core, a family.

Continuous Learning

Through its events, training sessions, and publications, the society champions lifelong learning and the continuous refinement of voice and skill.

Key historical points

The record so far.

LSUDS was officially registered in 2018 under the leadership of Moyosoreoluwa Eleso, together with Hezekiah Tiamiyu, Faith Uzuegbu, Ademola Ibraheem Lawal, and Timi Ojo — five pioneering members who laid the society's foundation.

In 2019, Hezekiah Tiamiyu founded LISTEN, which drew over 2,000 attendees and grew into one of Nigeria's biggest storytelling platforms. It was during this tenure that LSUDS publicly opened its gates to all of LASU, and the society has since continued to grow every year through its Call for Applications.

In the years that followed, LSUDS recorded victories at several competitions and watched many rising stars emerge — top poet Victory Ashaka, hijabi compere Zainab Aderounmu, spoken word artiste Aina Ayomide, and many more.

The history is still being written. If we were to write all the deeds of Moyosoreoluwa, of Hezekiah, of Femi, of Dunni, of Titi, of Bolu who launched the Orators Retreat, of Seide, of Ayomide, and those to follow, there would not be enough space to tell it all.

Moyosoreoluwa Eleso

1st President

Hezekiah Tiamiyu

Founder of LISTEN & 2nd President

A decade of leadership.

Ten administrations, each building on the last — a living record of those who have carried the LSUDS standard forward.

1st Administration · 2018

Moyosoreoluwa Eleso — President

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First President. One of five pioneering members who laid the foundation of LSUDS, setting the tone for excellence that every administration has built upon.

Moyosoreoluwa Eleso

President

Hezekiah Tiamiyu

Vice President

Faith Uzuegbu

General Secretary

Ademola Ibraheem Lawal

PR Expert

Timi Ojo

Ex-Officio

2nd Administration · 2019

Hezekiah Tiamiyu — President

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Presided over the inaugural Word War and the first edition of LISTEN (SEED) — the event that would grow into Africa's biggest storytelling platform.

Hezekiah Tiamiyu

President

Zainab Amusa

Vice President

Tolulope Omogunle

General Secretary

Temilade Olanrewaju

Asst. Gen. Secretary

Oluwafemi Akanmu

PR Expert

Olawonuade Atofojomo

Welfare Director

Janet Ayangbola

Financial Secretary

Moyosoreoluwa Eleso

Ex-Officio

3rd Administration · 2020–2021

Oluwafemi Akanmu — President

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A prolific writer and public speaker who elevated LSUDS to new heights, presiding over LISTEN II (VISION) and Word War II.

Oluwafemi Akanmu

President

Zainab Amusa

Vice President

Shukroh Adeyemi

General Secretary

Fatima Abu

Asst. Gen. Secretary

Folayemi Sanusi

PR Expert

Oladunni Akinsanmi

Financial Secretary

Hezekiah Tiamiyu

Ex-Officio

4th Administration · 2021–2022

Oladunni Akinsanmi — President

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Continued the outstanding legacy of her predecessors, training many speakers and presiding over LISTEN III (VOYAGE) and Word War III.

Oladunni Akinsanmi

President

Victory Ashaka

Vice President

Titilope Ibrahim

General Secretary

Akintunde Oluwatosin

Asst. Gen. Secretary

Boluwatife Kolawole

PR Expert

Afonja Omotolani

Welfare Director

Oluwatade Peace

Financial Secretary

Zainab Amusa

Ex-Officio

5th Administration · 2022–2023

Titilope Ibrahim — President

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Popularly known as The Global Titilope, she mentored many individuals and presided over LISTEN IV (ADVENTURE) and Word War IV.

Titilope Ibrahim

President

Naomi Kadiri

Vice President

Al-Amin Ademola

General Secretary

Adenekan Obadare

Asst. Gen. Secretary

Erhuvwu'Oghene Akpomerha

PR Expert

Aderibigbe Firdaoz

Welfare Director

Adetola Fathia

Financial Secretary

Victory Ashaka

Ex-Officio

6th Administration · 2023–2024

Boluwatife Kolawole — President

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An adept compere, actor, writer and public speaker, Bolu coached emerging speakers, launched the Orators Retreat, and presided over LISTEN V (RESILIENCE), widely regarded as an outstanding edition.

Boluwatife Kolawole

President

Fathia Adetola

Vice President

Seide Agosu

General Secretary

Ajeniya Abdulquadri

Asst. Gen. Secretary

Ogunlaja Oluwanifemisimi

PR Expert

Mafe Olatunji

Welfare Director

Ademoye Summaya

Financial Secretary

Titilope Ibrahim

Ex-Officio

7th Administration · 2024–2025

Seide Agosu — President

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Presided over LISTEN VI (EMERGENCE), held at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, further establishing LSUDS as the premier storytelling society in Nigeria.

Seide Agosu

President

Mafe Olatunji

Vice President

Similoluwa Ifedayo

General Secretary

Temitope Bakare

Asst. Gen. Secretary

Temiloluwa Bolawole

PR Expert

Zainab Ogunnowo

Welfare Director

Ayooluwatobi Fadare

Financial Secretary

Fathia Adetola

Ex-Officio

8th Administration

Aina Ayomide — President

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Presided over LISTEN VII (ZENITH), continuing the upward trajectory of the society's flagship storytelling event.

Aina Ayomide

President

Temitope Bakare

Vice President

Kehinde Ajasa

General Secretary

Adeleye Oladimeji

Asst. Gen. Secretary

Oladipupo Ramadan

PR Expert

Adewumi Osonoiki

Welfare Director

Asikaburu Miracle

Financial Secretary

Ogunnowo Zainab

Ex-Officio

9th Administration

Asikaburu Miracle Ezinne — President

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Presided over LISTEN VIII (MOMENTUM) in April 2026, marking a new chapter of sustained momentum for LSUDS.

Asikaburu Miracle Ezinne

President

Atere Sarah

Vice President

Agosu Sewedo

General Secretary

Braimah Marvellous

Asst. Gen. Secretary

Sherifat Umar

PR Expert

Gift Okhumode

Welfare Director

Atere Mofiyinfoluwa

Financial Secretary

Oladipupo Ramadan

Ex-Officio

Current

10th Administration · Present

Sherifat Umar — President

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The current administration, continuing LSUDS's mission of excellence, impact, and leadership development at Lagos State University.

Sherifat Umar

President

Diaso Gabriel Alexander

Vice President

Arowojobe Emmanuel Olawale

General Secretary

Hamzat Kamilat Omotolani

Asst. Gen. Secretary

Adeoso Samuel Omotayo

PR Expert

Oguntubo Daniella Boluwatife

Welfare Director

Suru Christiana Ebi-Erin

Financial Secretary

The alumni body.

Former members who continue to champion LSUDS's mission long after graduation, organised by the year they joined the alumni body.

Hezekiah TiamiyuHead, Alumni Body

2018/2019 Alumni

2019/2020 Alumni

2020/2021 Alumni

Hezekiah Tiamiyu
Joshua Ojo
Abdulqadri Ismail Oluwagbemiga

2021/2022 Alumni

Afonja Omotolani Jahtoyosi

2022/2023 Alumni

Temitope Elizabeth Adeoye
Alabi Deborah Adetutu
Kadiri Naomi
Ogunlaja Oluwanifesimi Temitope
Qudus Olanrewaju Ojikutu
Ruth Ayobi

2023/2024 Alumni

Daniel Kosisochukwu Iyiodo
Fathia Adetola
Olatunji Mafe
Adedeji Ngbede Aderounmu
Odichukwumma Dorcas Mordi

2024/2025 Alumni

Farouk Olaoluwa Aminu
Balogun Oluwagbemiro Sophia
Abdulrahman Adam Adio
Olaniyi Oreoluwa Mosunmola
Fadare Nojibat Ayooluwatobi
Ajasa Kehinde Timilehin
Zainab Ogunnowo
Obadimeji Oluwakorede
Ojikutu Boluwatife Deborah
Temitope Bakare
Olawale Kafayat
Adeniken Ilerioluwa
Saheed Sunday
Moyomade Adegbite
Ololade Oladele Olajide
Olayiwola Oluwapelumi Grace
Oliaku Deborah Ese
Obadimeji David
Mariam Oluwapelumi Busari
Mariam Adegbola
Esther Mosopefoluwa Oginni
Boluwatifemi Bamijoko
Israel Adedoyin

2025/2026 Alumni

Samad Olaitan Sulaiman
Favour Oluwatuyi
Sylvester Agose
Taiwo Abigail Ayomide
Precious Oyeleye
Similoluwa Sharon Ifedayo
Aishat Salami
Aminat Babatunde
Ajeniya Abdulquadri Oluwagbemiga
Adeleye Oladimeji Habeeb
Olarinre Fiyinfoluwa Deborah
Rianot Ajoke Haruna
Asikaburu Miracle Ezinne
Ojulari Zainab Opeyemi
Akano Abdulmalik Kolade
Teniola Elizabeth Olarinde
Adeniji Tomiwa Azeez
Orenuga Erioluwa Rose
Nuroh Abdulrahmon
Maryam Motunrayo Lawal
Balogun Sherifat Abimbola
Michael Adeyemi Gnaho

LSUDS and LASU.

LSUDS operates under the leadership of the University and the guidance and support of its staff advisers at Lagos State University.

Vice Chancellor

Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello

Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University

Staff Advisers

Dr. Genius Abisoye Bamgbose

Staff Adviser, LSUDS

Mr. JerrySam Adeniyi

Staff Adviser, LSUDS

Mr. Ademola Adekoya

Staff Adviser, LSUDS

Mrs. Agosu-Lewis Olubunmi

Staff Adviser, LSUDS