In a monumental stride for education in Nigeria, five secondary school students from Delta State will represent the nation in the upcoming Nigeria-Qatar Schools Debate Championship. Scheduled for July 1 in Doha, this event marks a significant milestone for both the students and the country’s educational diplomacy efforts.
According to Educa.ng, the students were selected after emerging champions in the 2025 President’s Schools Debate—a rigorous intellectual contest involving students from across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The National Coordinator of the President’s Debate Initiative, Dare Oritu, highlighted the diplomatic significance of the event. “This is not just a competition—it’s a cultural and academic exchange designed to foster global educational dialogue between Nigeria and Qatar,” he explained.
The students representing Nigeria are:
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Wisdom Chukwuma, Government College, Ughelli
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Otorvo Uyoyou, Alegbo Secondary School, Effurun
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Abraham Honour, Okpaka Secondary School, Okpaka
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Ekhamateh Splendour, Government Model Secondary School, Asaba
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Alika Daniel, Utagba-Ogbe Grammar School, Kwale
Their participation is backed by the Delta State Government. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, during a send-off at Government House, Asaba, expressed his pride and pledged full financial and logistical support for the students’ trip to Qatar.
“These children exemplify the results of strong educational policies. They’ve made us proud by winning nationally and we believe they’ll shine globally,” the governor stated.
He further emphasized the state’s commitment to nurturing local talent: “These are not foreign-trained students. They are homegrown champions, and their success speaks volumes.”
Commissioner for Primary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibuogwu, praised the debaters for their dedication and brilliance. Similarly, SUBEB Chairman, Mr. Samuel Mariere, described the victory as evidence of Delta’s growing educational prominence on the global stage.
One of the debaters, Wisdom Chukwuma, appreciated the governor’s encouragement and promised to give their best in representing both the state and Nigeria.
As anticipation builds for the international contest, the Delta debate team stands as a testament to the power of public education and youth empowerment in Nigeria.
