Sterling Bank recently sponsored the 2026 Lagos Schools Debate Competition, a three-day intellectual contest that brought together students from 19 junior and senior secondary schools across the state to compete in critical thinking, communication and leadership.

The competition, held at the British International Junior School, Victoria Island, was organised by DebateChamps in partnership with the Harvard Debate Council, United States.

Schools represented came from the six education districts of Lagos State, and participants competed under the junior world schools debate format, where debate motions were released 30 minutes before each round, requiring students to prepare and deliver structured arguments under time pressure.

The format tested intellectual agility, spontaneous reasoning and the ability to articulate positions without prior preparation.

Speaking on the sponsorship, the Chief Marketing Officer of Sterling bank, Donatus Okpako, said the bank views education and critical thinking as key to Nigeria’s future competitiveness.

Reminding that education remains the foundation of every progressive society, Okpako stated that the bank is committed to supporting programmes that develop the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.

“The skills we watched these students sharpen over three days; critical thinking, structured argumentation and the courage to speak under pressure, are the same skills that will determine whether Nigeria competes or merely participates in the global economy of the next decade.

Platforms like the Lagos schools debate competition are exactly the kind of investment that compounds, and we will continue to support initiatives that sharpen the country’s next great minds,” he said.

On her part, the Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Peju Ibekwe, noted that access to high-level intellectual opportunities should not be limited by students’ socio-economic backgrounds.

She added that building a resilient educational ecosystem requires strategic partnerships and sustained investments in programmes that encourage intellectual curiosity and analytical thinking among young Nigerians.

At the grand finale, Wellspring College, Omole, won the senior category, while Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikeja, finished as first runner-up. In the junior category, British International School, Victoria Island, took the top prize, while Grace High School, Gbagada, emerged first runner-up.

Organisers recognised 20 outstanding speakers for their performances during the competition. Ten students were selected from the senior category and 10 from the junior category.

The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, commended participants for their confidence, analytical ability and public speaking skills.

He said the competition broadened students’ exposure, encouraged intellectual engagement, promoted healthy competition and strengthened leadership capacity among young people.