In a groundbreaking achievement, Stella Maris College, Umueri, Anambra State, has made Nigeria proud by defeating elite British schools to emerge as the first African winner of the prestigious UK-Nigeria Debate Competition. This victory marks a historic moment in academic excellence and showcases the intellectual prowess of Nigerian students on a global stage.
This article explores:
The schools that participated
The winning students and their journey
The prize and significance of the win
History of the competition & past winners
Impact on Nigerian education
Dignitaries present at the event
Future prospects and challenges
The UK-Nigeria Debate Competition: A Clash of Academic Titans
The UK-Nigeria Debate Competition, established in 2015, is an annual event that brings together the brightest secondary school students from Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The competition focuses on critical thinking, public speaking, and persuasive argumentation, covering topics like global politics, education, and socio-economic development.
Participating Schools in the 2024 Edition
The 2024 edition featured some of the most prestigious schools from both nations:
Nigerian Teams:
Stella Maris College, Umueri (Anambra State) – Winners
Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja
King’s College, Lagos
British Teams:
Eton College (One of the UK’s most elite schools)
Westminster School
Harrow School
The final round saw Stella Maris College go head-to-head against Eton College, with the Nigerian team delivering a masterclass in rhetoric and logic.
Meet the Winning Students from Stella Maris College
The victorious team comprised four exceptional debaters, whose brilliance sealed the historic win:
Chidubem Nwachukwu (Team Captain) – Known for his sharp analytical skills
Adaeze Onyeka – A powerful orator with unmatched confidence
Obinna Eze – The research specialist behind their strong arguments
Chioma Okeke – A quick thinker who excelled in rebuttals
“We trained for months, studying British debate styles and refining our delivery. Winning against Eton College is a dream come true!” – Chidubem Nwachukwu
The Prize & What This Victory Means
The 2024 champions received:
A trophy and gold medals
A fully funded educational trip to Oxford University
£5,000 (₦7.5 million) scholarship fund for the school’s debate club
Why This Win is Historic
First Nigerian school to win since the competition began
Defeated Eton College, a school with centuries of debate tradition
Proves Nigeria’s academic potential on the global stage
“This victory shatters the myth that only Western schools dominate intellectual competitions. Nigerian students are world-class.” – Dr. Ngozi Okeke, Education Analyst
History of the UK-Nigeria Debate Competition
Past Winners:
2023: Westminster School (UK)
2022: King’s College, Lagos (Nigeria’s previous best performance)
2021: Eton College (UK)
2020: Harrow School (UK)
Stella Maris College’s 2024 win breaks the UK’s dominance, setting a new precedent for African schools.
Dignitaries & Special Guests at the Event
The grand finale, held at the University of London, was attended by high-profile figures, including:
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede (JAMB Registrar) – Representing Nigeria’s academic sector
Lord David Howell (UK House of Lords) – Keynote speaker
Hon. Chika Okafor (Anambra State Commissioner for Education) – Celebrated the win
“This victory is not just for Anambra but for all of Nigeria. It shows what our students can achieve with the right support.” – Hon. Chika Okafor
What This Means for Nigeria & Anambra State
For Stella Maris College:
Global recognition as a top-tier academic institution
Increased opportunities for international partnerships
Motivation for other Nigerian schools to aim higher
For Nigeria’s Education System:
Confirms the quality of Nigerian students
Encourages investment in debate & public speaking programs
Opens doors for more international competitions
Future of the Competition & Challenges Ahead
Opportunities:
More Nigerian schools may be invited in future editions
Potential sponsorships from global education bodies
Strengthened UK-Nigeria academic ties
Challenges:
Limited funding for Nigerian schools to participate
Visa difficulties for students traveling to the UK
Need for better debate training infrastructure
“If we invest in our students, Nigeria can dominate not just debates but global academia.” – Prof. Ishaq Oloyede
Final Thoughts: A New Era for Nigerian Debating
Stella Maris College’s historic win is a turning point for Nigerian education. It proves that with determination, talent, and support, Nigerian students can outperform the world’s best.
“This is just the beginning. Nigeria’s future in global academics is brighter than ever.” – Adaeze Onyeka, Winning Debater
References
UK-Nigeria Debate Competition Official Page
Anambra State Ministry of Education
