Join the 2025 UOESD National Debating Championship and represent your school at the national stage. See how to register, submit entries, and win awards. Read full steps and deadlines to take part.
United Organization for Education and Sports Development has opened the 12th National Debating Championship.
The Maurice Akueme Foundation is a partner in this event.
This contest gives young minds a stage to speak, think and argue with reason.
The event brings together primary, secondary and tertiary schools from across Nigeria.
Each school will share views on a set topic for the group it belongs to.
Know the topics for each level
- Primary schools: Schools should be seen as a better agent of socialisation than family.
- Secondary schools: The Nigerian Government has done more good than harm to its citizens.
- Tertiary institutions: Africa’s underdevelopment is a natural fact, not made by man.
Follow these rules to take part
1. Who can join
- Open to schools in Nigeria only.
- Primary, secondary and tertiary levels are accepted.
2. How to register
- No fee is required.
- Each school can join without payment.
3. Team format
- Primary and secondary schools must submit teams of three speakers.
- Tertiary schools can send many teams.
- Teams can speak for or against the set topic.
4. Time given to each speaker
- Speaker one: 5 minutes
- Speaker two: 3 minutes
- Speaker three: 2 minutes
5. How to submit entries
- Each team must send one video showing the full debate.
- Include the school name, speaker names, state, and contact details.
- Send entries by WhatsApp to +2348145655819.
Check the competition dates
- Video entry starts on 30 March 2025.
- Entry closes on 30 September 2025.
- Zonal stage runs from October 2025 to March 2026.
- Grand finale holds in July 2026.
See what can be won
Awards for early rounds
- Gold medal: score of 90–100%
- Silver medal: score of 80–89%
- Bronze medal: score of 70–79%
National prizes
- Cash prizes for top teams.
- Undergraduate foreign study support for secondary school winners.
- Postgraduate foreign study support for tertiary winners.
- Plaques for top teams.
- Trophies in gold, silver and bronze.
- Certificates for all teams that reach set points.
- Best speaker awards for each group.
- Best debating school award for top six schools.
Ask questions or get help
- Send a WhatsApp message to +2348145655819.
- Email: [email protected]