Today, there is so much information overload encircling. There is also rising misinformation, and declining critical thinking skills, too much that the role of debate in shaping articulate, analytical young minds has never been more urgent. Yet, debate is often misunderstood as aggressive argumentation, an opportunity that remains underutilised in many Nigerian secondary schools. This gap comes at a heavy cost. Research shows that structured, well-facilitated debate is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve reading comprehension, speaking skills, and analytical reasoning among adolescents. In fact, a simple calculation suggests that debate programmes may outperform several high-profile educational interventions in both impact and scalability.
Unlike classroom discussions that can be dominated by a few confident voices, debate enforces structure: timed arguments, evidence-based reasoning, respectful refutations, and clear listening protocols. This structure not only makes the process safer for students but also ensures that every participant, regardless of background or personality engages deeply with ideas. Debate, therefore, becomes an unexpected equaliser, promoting educational equity and giving students from public Nigerian schools the intellectual armour needed to compete nationally and globally.
The benefits extend far beyond the competition stage. Young people trained in debate show stronger critical thinking skills, sharper reading comprehension, and a greater ability to process complex information skills that are in short supply in Nigeria’s increasingly polarised civic space. The habits formed through debate, such as rigorous research, organised argumentation, and evidence-driven decision-making, are transferable to every corner of life. They shape better writers, more confident public speakers, and ultimately more responsible citizens prepared for college, career, and meaningful participation in society.
But these benefits do not appear by accident. Successful debaters are built long before they ever step into the arena. Preparation begins with deep research, gathering credible facts, and organising insights into two or three solid contentions. It requires brainstorming with teammates, rehearsing speeches, and anticipating the sharpest counterarguments from the opposing side.
On debate day, students must speak clearly and confidently, maintain strong body language, and most importantly, listen actively so they can refute arguments directly rather than relying on assumptions.
Good debating also demands respect. Competitors must attack ideas, not personalities. They must stay flexible, adapting to the flow of arguments, and remain composed under pressure. These habits reflect the very virtues Nigeria’s education system often struggles to instill: discipline, empathy, resilience, and intellectual humility.
This backdrop makes the renewed interest in youth debating not just refreshing, but necessary. It is within this context that HACMedia’s upcoming Dare2Debate competition in Lagos becomes a go-to event.
Scheduled to hold on December 13 in Ikeja, the programme aims to reenergise debate culture across the state and its neighbouring regions, creating an ecosystem where young people are encouraged to question, reason, disagree respectfully, and dream boldly.
Dare2Debate is hoping to recreate what debate once meant for Nigerian schools: a vibrant intellectual tradition that shapes confident thinkers, nurtures future leaders, and ensure that the next generation is equipped to speak understand, persuade, and build.
