McPherson University Hosts NASELS Ogun State Conference and Inter-Chapter Debate

McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State, on Tuesday, 3 June 2026, hosted the Ogun State Conference and Preliminary Inter-Chapter Debate of the National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS), Ogun State Chapter. The event, themed “Poetics: Language and Literature in 21st-Century Africa,” brought together students, academics, literary scholars, and representatives of tertiary institutions across the state for intellectual engagement and scholarly discourse.

Declaring the conference open on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis A. Igbasan, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kenneth Nwoko, emphasized the importance of intellectual engagement in contemporary society. He noted that academic activities such as conferences and debates should be encouraged beyond institutional boundaries, especially at a time when social media platforms are increasingly dominated by less productive and socially irresponsible content.

According to him, universities have a responsibility to stimulate critical thinking and intellectual development among students. He assured participants of the University’s continued support for programmes that promote learning, scholarship, healthy competition, and the exchange of ideas. He further commended the students and faculty members of the Department of English and Literary Studies for sustaining a culture of academic excellence and intellectual inquiry.

The keynote presentation, delivered by Dr. Olusoga O. Ayinde, examined the evolution of poetics in 21st-century African and Nigerian literature, highlighting how contemporary writers blend traditional oral forms with modern literary techniques to address pressing social issues such as corruption, migration, identity crises, gender inequality, insecurity, and environmental challenges. The presentation emphasized that African literature remains deeply rooted in social engagement and cultural representation while embracing globalization, multilingualism, digital culture, spoken-word performance, and new media platforms as emerging avenues for creative expression and the preservation of African identities.

In her welcome address, the Ogun State Coordinator of NASELS, Miss Pleasant Nneoma Stephen, described the conference as a platform designed to foster learning, scholarly interaction, debate, rhetoric, and networking among students of English and Literary Studies. She expressed gratitude to the management of McPherson University, particularly the Vice-Chancellor and the Department of English and Literary Studies, for their sponsorship and support in ensuring the successful organization of the programme. She also appreciated the contributions of the NASELS South-West Regional leadership and the National Executive Council towards the success of the event.

In her opening remarks, the President of the NASELS McPherson University Chapter, Miss Jegede Damilola, challenged participants to examine the evolving relationship between language and literature in contemporary Africa. She observed that African writers continue to reshape language to reflect indigenous realities and cultural experiences, making literature a dynamic tool for identity formation and social transformation.

Highlighting the significance of the preliminary inter-chapter debate, she described it as more than a contest of eloquence, noting that it represented an opportunity for students to demonstrate critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and intellectual excellence. She encouraged delegates to engage actively with the presentations and debate sessions while drawing valuable lessons from the proceedings.

A major highlight of the event was the Preliminary Inter-Chapter Debate, which featured participants from McPherson University and Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED). The debate provided a stimulating platform for students to showcase their public speaking abilities, argumentative skills, and mastery of literary and linguistic concepts.

The conference concluded with renewed calls for sustained academic engagement, intellectual collaboration, and the promotion of literary scholarship among students across tertiary institutions in Ogun State.