By Gabriel Ameh
ABUJA — The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Abuja Metropolitan has challenged Nigerian students and education stakeholders to rethink the country’s education system and place greater emphasis on practical skills, competence and nation-building alongside academic certification.
The call was made at the maiden edition of the Anthony-Eko Inter-School Debate Competition, organised by JCI Abuja Metropolitan for six secondary schools within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Held under the theme, “Rethinking the Nigerian Education System for Sustainable Development,” the competition provided a platform for students to examine how Nigeria can reform its education system to better prepare young people for life, work and national development.
The debate was organised around the motion: “What practical changes would you suggest to help the government rework Nigeria’s education system to balance academic certification with useful skills for life, work and nation-building?”
Unlike conventional inter-school debate competitions that use bracket-style match-ups, the maiden edition adopted a presidential-style format modelled after televised presidential debates.
Under the format, all six participating schools addressed the same motion in rotation before a live audience and a panel of judges.
Speaking on behalf of the Acting Secretary/Director of the FCT Secondary Education Board and the Acting Director of the Co-Curricular Division, FCT Secondary Education Board, Mrs Oby Theresa Onura Oguno said the debate topic was timely and relevant to the future of Nigerian education.
She commended JCI Abuja Metropolitan for creating a platform where young people could engage in meaningful discussions about the country’s education system and wished the participating students success.
In his opening remarks, the 2026 JCI Abuja Metropolitan President, Ambassador Sylvester Tyonenge Abende, described the competition as a learning platform designed to encourage young people to learn, improve, grow and contribute positively to their communities.
Abende urged participants to make the most of the opportunity by learning from one another, networking and developing themselves as future leaders.
He said the initiative reflected JCI’s commitment to creating positive change and empowering young people to make meaningful contributions to their schools, the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria and the wider world.
The Chief Judge, Victor Ibrahim B., alongside fellow judge Frances Bekey,andand Oluwasegun Owa Esq were also present to oversee the debate and assess the participating schools.
Delivering a goodwill message, Oluwasegun Owa, Esq., Judge/Secretary of the Council of Past Presidents, JCI Abuja Metropolitan, described the competition as an initiative capable of becoming a lasting legacy for the organisation.
Owa said the platform would allow young Nigerians to express their views on important national issues while developing their intellectual capacity and leadership skills.
He assured participants that the judges would provide a fair assessment and encouraged the students to give their best during the competition.
He further emphasised JCI’s commitment to leadership development, human capital development and building stronger relationships with schools and young people.
The Chairperson of the Anthony-Eko Inter-School Debate Competition, Hajidat Peace, said education should go beyond the acquisition of certificates.
According to her, young people need knowledge, practical skills, confidence and the ability to navigate life beyond the classroom.
She questioned an education culture where qualifications can sometimes receive greater attention than what graduates are capable of doing with the knowledge and skills they have acquired.
Peace said the debate was designed to encourage young minds to question, rethink and reimagine the education system they would eventually inherit and help shape.
She explained that JCI Abuja Metropolitan’s role was not simply to organise a debate but to give young people a platform to discuss solutions to challenges confronting education in Nigeria.
Six schools participated in the maiden competition.
They were:
- Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 1 — Ugwoke Vera
- Government Secondary School, Kuchin Goro — Emmanuella Ibrahim
- Government Secondary School, Lugbe — Yakubu Onize Friday
- Army Day Secondary School, Mogadishu Barracks, Asokoro — Samson Emmanuella
- Government Secondary School, Nyanya II — Auwal Danlami
- Government Secondary School, Chika Lugbe — Agada Desire
At the end of the competition, Army Day Secondary School, Mogadishu Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja, emerged overall winner.
Government Secondary School, Chika Lugbe, took second position, while Government Secondary School, Lugbe, finished as second runner-up.
The competition reinforced the importance of giving students opportunities to develop public-speaking abilities, critical thinking, confidence and problem-solving skills while engaging with issues that affect the country’s future.
JCI Abuja Metropolitan said the initiative was intended to encourage continuous learning, leadership and positive community impact among young people.
Credit: JCI Abuja Metropolitan / Anthony-Eko Inter-School Debate Competition
