Lagos, June 1, 2026 — The Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, has commended the inaugural Lagos Schools DebateChamps Competition, describing it as a platform that effectively strengthened students’ knowledge, critical thinking, and communication abilities.
Speaking at the grand finale of the three-day event, Alli-Balogun noted that the competition expanded students’ academic exposure while encouraging deeper intellectual engagement among participants.
He added that the initiative promoted healthy rivalry among schools and helped to further develop leadership potential in students.
Students from 19 junior and senior secondary schools across the six education districts in Lagos State took part in the competition, which was organised by DebateChamps in collaboration with the Harvard Debate Council (U.S.).
The event was convened by Miss Bukunmi Babatunde and Miss Halimat Usman.
Alli-Balogun praised the participants for their confidence, analytical reasoning, and impressive display of talent, noting that the programme reflected sustained efforts in mentorship and academic development across schools.
According to him, the experience contributed significantly to students’ growth, boosting their confidence and sharpening their public speaking abilities.
“Continue to engage, continue to speak up; the future truly belongs to you,” he said.
Mr Wale Olaoye, chaperone of Lagos State Model Senior College, Meiran, described the competition as innovative, particularly commending its impromptu debate format, which he said enhanced students’ creativity and quick thinking.
He explained that moving from prepared topics to spontaneous speaking challenged participants to construct arguments on the spot, a skill he described as vital for global academic and professional competitiveness.
Olaoye, however, called for improved transparency in future editions through the publication of scoring criteria and judging rubrics. He also urged stricter enforcement of competition rules to ensure fairness and maintain credibility.
Earlier, co-convener Miss Babatunde expressed satisfaction with the students’ adaptability to the format, noting that their overall performance exceeded expectations.
She explained that participants were given debate topics just 30 minutes before both the preliminary and elimination rounds.
“They were confident and enthusiastic,” she said, adding that the format was designed in line with the Junior World Schools Debate style to encourage problem-solving and critical thinking.
She further noted that the ability of students to deliver strong arguments within such a short preparation time demonstrated independent thinking and effective problem-solving skills.
In the senior category, Wellspring College, Omole, emerged winners, while Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikeja, placed second.
In the junior category, British International School, Victoria Island, clinched the top position, with Grace High School, Gbagada, finishing as first runner-up.
A panel of judges also recognised 20 outstanding speakers—10 from each category—who were rewarded with medals and cash prizes for their performances.