Brilliant secondary school students from across Lagos State stole the spotlight on Wednesday as they locked horns in a fierce battle of wits, tackling controversial issues ranging from the impact of social media to the causes of drug abuse at the 2026 Inter-Secondary Schools Debate Competition.
The intellectually charged contest, organised by the Joseph Adewole Youth Empowerment Foundation (JAYEF) in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, held at the State Schools Complex, Alimosho, under the theme, “Brain Task.”
The competition showcased the critical-thinking abilities, public speaking skills and confidence of students drawn from schools across Education District .
In the junior category, six schools debated the motion: “Social media does more harm than good to secondary school students in Lagos State.”
After intense arguments and counter-arguments, Shasha Community Junior Grammar School emerged champion with 73.5 points, while Community Junior Grammar School, Akowonjo, finished second with 69 points.
The participating schools included Abesan Junior High School, State Junior High School Alimosho, Alimosho Junior Grammar School, State Comprehensive Junior College, Shasha Community Junior Grammar School and Community Junior Grammar School, Akowonjo.
The senior category was equally thrilling as students debated the motion: “Drug abuse among students is as a result of bad parenting and not bad friends.”
At the end of the keenly contested session, Alimosho Senior Grammar School clinched first position, while Millennium Senior Secondary School, Egbeda, emerged runner-up.
Other participating schools were Community Senior Grammar School, Ipaja; Jakande Estate Community Senior College, Abesan; State Senior High School, Alimosho; and State Senior College, Alimosho.
Speaking at the event, President and Founder of JAYEF, Amb. Joseph Olaoluwa Adewole, said the debate competition has become one of the foundation’s flagship programmes aimed at shaping future leaders and empowering young minds.
According to him, the initiative is designed to move students away from negative influences and redirect them towards excellence, leadership and purposeful living.
“We have visited more than 400 schools across Lagos State over the last four and a half years. Through these engagements, we have gained valuable insights into the challenges facing young people and how best to redirect their minds towards excellence, success and purposeful living,” he said.
Adewole urged the students to see themselves as future change-makers whose ideas could contribute to national development.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, represented by Assistant Director of Education, Dr. Omoniyi Bolaji, commended the organisers for promoting critical thinking and values-based education among students.
She advised participants to embrace what she described as the three pillars of success — character, competence and consistency.
“Your character will open doors that certificates alone cannot open. Competence brings value, while consistency helps you overcome challenges and achieve your goals,” she said.
In his keynote address titled “My Journey: From Humble Beginnings to Purposeful Leadership,” Chairman and Managing Director of Emmppek Farms Limited, Dr. Emmanuel Audu Ohwavborua, inspired the students with his story of rising from modest beginnings to become a successful engineer, entrepreneur and business leader.
He stressed that the mind remains the greatest asset any young person can possess.
“The greatest asset any young person possesses is not money or social connections but the mind. Your mindset determines your destiny,” he said.
Ohwavborua also cautioned students against examination malpractice, cybercrime and drug abuse, urging them to embrace integrity, discipline and lifelong learning.
The winners received trophies, prizes, certificates and awards in recognition of their outstanding performances.
Organisers expressed optimism that the annual competition would continue to nurture a generation of critical thinkers, problem-solvers and responsible leaders capable of driving Nigeria’s future growth and development.
