On Saturday, May 30, 2026, the Auditorium of the University of Lomé transformed into a battleground of wits as Togo hosted the national finals of the 17th edition of the International Geniuses in Training OHADA Competition (CIGHO). Organized jointly by the National OHADA Competition Coordination in Togo and the International Association of Law Students-Togo (AIEJ-TOGO), the event marked the culmination of rigorous preliminary rounds held simultaneously in Lomé and Kara on April 25, 2026.

The ceremony kicked off with opening remarks from the Master of Ceremonies, Me Pirénam BLANDE, former President of AIEJ-TOGO. This set the stage for keynote speeches by national coordinator Messifa Komlan KONALI, a Magistrate, Saturnin Sassou A. AGBLO-NOAMESSI from the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR), and Project Manager Me Têko Seyram Godwin AMENYINU, a Doctor of Private Law and Attorney, who introduced the written examination phase.

Under the watchful eye of Coordinator KONALI, ten finalists from the University of Lomé, University of Kara, and the Higher Institute of Law and Interpreting (ISDI) faced a battery of challenges: multiple-choice questions, African integration tests, identity puzzles, and persuasive advocacy speeches. A brief interlude by slam poet MERCY injected energy before the most anticipated round—the advocacy challenge.

For ten minutes each, contestants argued passionately on the topic: “Can tax law be integrated into OHADA’s material competence?” before a distinguished jury comprising:

• Professor Edem AVEGNON, Private Law Agrégé and Tax Expert at the University of Lomé Faculty of Law: Jury President;
• Magistrate Afeignidou BILABINA, Deputy Prosecutor at Notsè Republic Court: Member;
• Me Sidick K. AKATA, Trainee Lawyer and 2025 Monferrier Dorval CIB Oratory Competition finalist: Member;
• Dr Godwin Disseyi PALOUKI, Tax Inspector and 2018 CIGHO Best Thesis Award winner (Abidjan): Member;
• Rahile MIJIYAWA, Legal Advisor and 2021 CIGHO Best Advocate Award winner (N’Djamena): Member.

After tallying scores from written tests and advocacy rounds, three standout participants emerged:

• 1st place: Mlle Atsoupi Ama NEGLO, Bachelor’s in Public Law from the University of Kara;
• 2nd place: Mr Francis Koffi FIA, Private Law student at the University of Lomé;
• 3rd place: Mr Edoé F. Ulrich MENSAH-GAFAN AKOVI, Master’s student in Digital Law & Data Protection at ISDI.

The top three, destined to represent Togo on the international stage, will receive specialized coaching from the coaching team led by Koamivi AGBAH, Obed Adjévi NEGLOKPE, and Bilal BABA DARO—all former CIGHO laureates themselves.

The evening concluded with prize distributions, celebratory photos, and refreshments, capping a day of intellectual rigor and national pride.

Gratitude flowed to competition partners: the Togolese Revenue Office for financial backing, the University of Lomé for institutional support, and UNIDA through Me Têko Seyram Godwin AMENYINU for providing green codes and legal texts to all candidates. Special thanks extended to President of the Lomé Court of First Instance Atchou ADJEODA, President of the Lomé Commercial Court Amenyo Kudzo AKUATSE, and numerous legal firms and notaries for their generous contributions.

The organizers also commended the jury’s dedication, AIEJ-TOGO’s leadership under President Marie-Claire Egnonam AVLA, and the OHADA Club of the University of Kara, represented by Alika AYEBA and Assiki GNASSINGBE, for their pivotal role in making the national selection a success.

Mark your calendars: the international finals will unfold in Lomé from September 12 to 19, 2026, where Togo’s brightest will compete for global recognition.