Bowen University student wins silver in 2026 Queen’s Commonwealth writing competition

Olatunde Emmanuel, a 300-level economics student at Bowen University, has won a silver award in the 2026 Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition with his 1,000-word essay, 'The Power of Sport to unite us.'

Speaking exclusively to NaijaGoodNews, Emmanuel described the recognition as meaningful, especially as it was only his second major writing experience.

“It has encouraged me to see writing as something I can continue to develop, even while pursuing my academic studies,” he said.

Emmanuel said he discovered the competition online while searching for writing opportunities and chose the topic because of sports’ ability to connect people across different backgrounds.

“People may speak different languages, come from different backgrounds, or have different beliefs, but they can still share a common interest in sports,” he said.

Explaining the idea behind his essay, he recalled how children bond through football regardless of their differences.

“We didn’t begin by asking where someone came from or what language they spoke. The important question was simply whether they could play,” he said.

He added that his essay explored how sports connect communities and generations, including through shared support for teams and athletes.

“Ultimately, I wanted to show that sports can serve as a bridge between people. It reminds us that we do not have to be the same to understand one another, build relationships, and work towards a common goal,” he said.

Advising young writers, Emmanuel encouraged them to draw inspiration from everyday experiences rather than wait for extraordinary stories.

“You don’t have to wait until you feel like a perfect writer before you start sharing your ideas. Be willing to learn, improve, and give yourself a chance,” he said.