Eniola Yekini
A Secondary school student in Ekiti state Ayodele Angel Oluwafisayomi, has emerged winner of the 2026 StarGirl Playwriting Prize, receiving ₦100,000 for a play that challenges gender stereotypes and promotes girls’ participation in science and technology.
Oluwafisayomi, an SS3 student of Divine Touch International School,Ado- Ekiti emerged top among finalists at the award ceremony held on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The competition was organised by Dr. Oluwatosin Kooshima Tume, Associate Professor of Play Creation, Playwriting, Performance and Gender Studies at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti ,FUOYE and Director of the institution’s Centre for Gender Studies.
Speaking on the inspiration behind the initiative, Tume said her childhood experiences with storytelling, drama, singing, dancing and cultural performances shaped her passion for creative expression.
She said creative activities provided an outlet during difficult moments in her childhood, adding that her experience as an academic and published playwright later exposed her to the gap between male and female representation in playwriting.
This, she said, motivated her to establish a platform to identify, mentor and encourage young Nigerian girls to explore their creativity through playwriting.
Tume disclosed that the 2026 edition attracted 14 entries, but nine were excluded after assessment showed they were entirely AI-generated.
“We took the decision to protect originality and ensure that the competition rewards genuine creativity,” she said.
The remaining entries were assessed, while selected finalists participated in a week-long residency featuring mentorship and training in dramatic structure, character development and storytelling.
She described the development of the finalists’ ideas into original plays as a fulfilment of her vision.
Tume also disclosed that the project has been self-funded since inception, while appreciating the Father of the Day, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, for providing a venue for the residency and training at no cost.
Ojudu, who commended the initiative for identifying young talents early, urged the finalists to build on the opportunity and encouraged parents to recognise and support their children’s abilities.
“A good reader makes a good writer,” he said, emphasising the importance of reading to effective writing.
He also presented cash gifts to the finalists, while Tume awarded ₦100,000 to the overall winner and rewarded other participants.
Speaking after her victory, Oluwafisayomi said her winning play tells the story of Bose, a 15-year-old girl passionate about science but raised in a home where girls are expected to remain in the kitchen.
Through her interest in science and use of copper wires and other materials, Bose finds her voice and challenges limitations imposed on girls.
Her father, Ayodele Smart-Ojo, described the victory as a source of pride for the family.
He said he encouraged his daughter to participate when she first brought home information about the competition and continued to support her after she was shortlisted.
Other Finalists who also received cash prizes were, Phoebe Adewole 15 year old, an SS3 Student at Saint Lawrence Metro College, Ado Ekiti, Gold Ayodele 11year old, a grade 8 student at Florence Court International School, Ado -Ekiti ,Grace Ayodele 16 year old, an SSCE holder, Adewonuola Afolabi 16 year Old an hundred level student of Osun State University.
The StarGirl Playwriting Prize seeks to nurture young female writers by providing mentorship, creative training and a platform to develop storytelling and playwriting skills.