Abia State public school students representing Nigeria have emerged overall champions at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship held in Doha, Qatar.
The team, presented by Presidential School Debate Nigeria, defeated competitors from several countries, including the Philippines, Jordan, India and Qatar, to win the top international prize at the championship.
The competition, coordinated by Vocara Institute and hosted by the QatarDebate Centre at Georgetown University, Doha, featured more than 84 teams from eight countries.
The Abia contingent, led by the Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs Lydia Onuoha, secured four major awards and 12 laurels for outstanding performance.
Among the honours won by the Nigerian team were Best International School Debate Team, described as the biggest award of the tournament, Overall Best Team in the Junior Category, Best Leadership Award and Best Debater Award.
The team comprised Christian Chinweotitom Esther, Chikodi Maureen, Akamnonu Franklin, Ifeanyichukwu Prisca and Simon Divine.
Team Nigeria advanced through the preliminary rounds before overcoming competitors from the Philippines, Jordan, India and Qatar to reach the finals.
The championship brought together teams from countries including Jordan, India, Qatar, the Philippines and Kenya, providing an international platform for students to demonstrate their debating, leadership and critical-thinking abilities.
The QatarDebate Centre, established in 2008 by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, serves as Qatar’s national debating organisation.
The latest achievement is another international recognition for Abia’s public school students and the state’s ongoing education reforms under Governor Alex Otti.
A press release by the chief press secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, said the performance demonstrated the growing intellectual capacity of students in Abia’s public schools and placed both Abia and Nigeria on the international stage.
