University of Abuja Students Win Big at Bartender Academy Cocktail Competition in Abuja

Three students of the University of Abuja have emerged winners at the Bartender Academy Cocktail Competition held during the IHTEF Hospitality Sustainable Summit – Africa 2026, hosted in Abuja over the weekend.

The competition brought together participants from various tertiary institutions who competed in practical cocktail preparation using Schweppes products, with a strong emphasis on creativity, technique, and industry-standard execution.

At the end of the contest, Victoria Isu, a 100-level student of Hospitality and Tourism Management, clinched the top prize of ₦1 million. Ndubisi Chinenye and Bayo Damilola secured second and third positions respectively, each receiving ₦500,000.

The students participated in a two-day programme that featured intensive workshops, live demonstrations, and hands-on training facilitated by hospitality professionals. Organizers described the event as a platform designed to strengthen practical skills and industry readiness among young hospitality practitioners.

Speaking after the competition, the students described the experience as both demanding and rewarding, noting that it significantly improved their confidence, creativity, and technical competence in mixology and hospitality practice.

Receiving the students in his office, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, congratulated them on their achievement and encouraged them to sustain the momentum, emphasizing the importance of excellence and professionalism in representing the university.

The university described the feat as a reflection of its commitment to experiential learning and the development of globally competitive graduates in the hospitality and tourism sector.