The United Organization for Education and Sports Development, in partnership with the Maurice Akueme Foundation, presents the 12th edition of the National Debating Championship for Schools in Nigeria.

This prestigious competition aims to foster critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication among students.

Competition Categories and Debate Topics

Primary Schools: "Schools should be regarded as a more effective agent of socialization than family."

Secondary Schools: "The Nigerian Government has done more good than harm to its citizens."

Tertiary Institutions: "Africa's underdevelopment is a natural phenomenon rather than a man-made construct."

Benefits of UOESD National Debating Championship

Awards and Honours

Preliminary and Zonal Awards: Participants to achieve any of the under-listed points in this stage receive the relevant medals

Gold (90-100%)

Silver (80-89%) 

Bronze (70-79%)

National Awards: 

Cash prizes (Overall Winners in all categories)

Fully funded undergraduate overseas scholarships through UOESD mentorship (Secondary School Winners and Finalists)

Fully postgraduate overseas scholarships through UOESD mentorship (Tertiary Institution Winners and Finalists)

Plaque awards 

Gold , Silver and Bronze Trophies

Certificates of Accomplishment Awards 

Best Speaker's Award (Each from the 3 categories)

Best Debating Institution Awards (6 schools to reach finals in all categories)

Requirements for UOESD National Debating Championship

Guidelines for Participation 

Eligibility: Open to all primary, secondary schools, and tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

Registration: Free registration.

Team Composition: Primary and secondary schools should form teams of three speakers, while tertiary institutions can have multiple teams of three.

Time Allocation:

1st speaker (5 minutes)

2nd speaker (3 minutes)

3rd speaker (2 minutes)

Selection Process

Competition Timeline 

Preliminary Round: Schools submit debate videos from March 30th - September 30th

Zonal Round: October 2025 - March 2026, with competitions held in each of the six geopolitical zones

National/Grand Finale: July 2026, where the six zonal winners compete

Application Deadline

September 30, 2025

How to Apply

The three speakers or their schools are to send the debate videos via WhatsApp to +2348145655819, including school name, student names, State of school location and contact information.

For more information, contact +2348145655819 (WhatsApp) or send email to: [email protected].