Chidinma Iroegbu and Esther Oseyiomon
In Abuja on Friday, Government Day Secondary School, Karu, captured the N3 million prize at the Season 3 edition of the “I Beg To Differ,” debate competition organised by Nigeria Info FM. The event focused on the motion: “International institutions influence Nigeria’s policies more than its citizens do.”
The grand finale was held at Nigeria Info FM Studio, Abuja, and featured top secondary school students across the city showcasing skills in critical thinking, public speaking, and civic engagement.
Fountain School, Jikoyi, finished second, earning N2 million, while Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, claimed third place, taking home N1 million. Both teams from Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, competed in the third-place contest.
Swat Adalumo, Programme Manager of I Beg To Differ, explained that this season adopted a school-centric format to strengthen institutional participation. “It goes beyond individual performance; it’s about building a culture of debate within schools,” she said.
Obiechina Emmanuel, CEO of Kira AI, the sponsor of the event, stated that the initiative promotes critical thinking, leadership, and STEM opportunities for students. “Supporting this debate empowers students to explore opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” he said.
During the debate, participants examined the influence of international institutions versus citizen participation in shaping Nigeria’s policies. Judges evaluated teams on presentation, rebuttal, closing statements, style, and diction.
Diction Judge Olivia Ossai provided guidance to both teams on pronunciation, word choice, and clarity, ensuring professional delivery throughout the live broadcast on 95.1 Nigeria Info FM.
Participants described the experience as rigorous and rewarding. Majesty Ojocchegbe, a finalist from the previous season, said: “It’s not just about winning; it’s about learning and preparing for bigger platforms in the future.”
Ojocchegbe added that his team is preparing for the national finals in Lagos later this year, expressing confidence in securing further honours.
Organisers noted that the competition has successfully engaged students across Abuja, creating a platform for young Nigerians to develop debating skills and contribute meaningfully to public discourse and national development.