The Enugu State Debate Team has earned the prestigious honor of representing Nigeria at the 2025 World Schools Debate Championship (WSDC) in Panama, following their remarkable victory at the 2024 Democracy Day National Debate Championship Finals in Abuja.
This nomination, announced by the President’s School Debate Nigeria (PSDN), was conveyed through a letter from Usman Muhammad, Chairman of the PSDN National Advisory Board, to Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah. The letter, dated November 5, 2024, commended Team Enugu’s exceptional performance and noted their role in bringing pride to the state and nation.
“Congratulations on the outstanding performance of the Enugu State Debate Team,” Muhammad wrote. “Your first-place finish at the National Finals has earned the state the right to represent Nigeria at the World Schools Debate Championship in Panama, the premier international event for elite school debaters.”
Meet the Winning Team
The victorious team comprises:
- Emmanuella Chukwuma (Holy Rosary College)
- Chiamaka Okwuibe (Queen’s School)
- Goodness Chinedu Chiemerie (St. Patrick’s College)
- Chibuikem Ukadike (College of the Immaculate Conception)
The students attributed their success to the transformative investments in education spearheaded by Governor Mbah’s administration. Notably, Enugu had not participated in the National Debate Championship for over a decade until the current government took office.
In September, Governor Mbah received Team Enugu at the Government House and awarded them scholarships covering university education, along with cash prizes. He praised their achievement as a testament to his administration’s prioritization of education, which received an unprecedented 33 percent of the state’s ₦521.5 billion 2024 budget—the highest educational allocation in Nigeria.
“When we allocated 33 percent of our budget to education, many doubted our intentions,” Mbah said. “But we understood that to eradicate poverty and foster sustainable development, we needed to revolutionize our education system. The success of Team Enugu is a clear result of this commitment.”
The 2025 WSDC in Panama will gather the world’s best school debaters, providing an international platform to showcase their skills and exchange ideas. Team Enugu’s participation underscores the state’s growing prominence in academic excellence and leadership development.