2026 Akintola Williams Youth Debate Competition
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The Nigeria-Britain Association (N-BA) successfully hosted the 2026 Akintola Williams Youth Debate Competition as part of its ongoing commitment to youth development, educational advancement, leadership cultivation, and intellectual engagement among secondary school students in Nigeria.
The competition was held over two stages, with the preliminary round taking place on Saturday, 7th March 2026, while the grand finale was held on Saturday, 14th March 2026, at NEM Insurance Plc, Obanikoro, Lagos.
The 2026 edition featured 15 secondary schools, comprising eight public schools and seven private schools, providing a dynamic platform for students from diverse educational backgrounds to showcase their debating, analytical reasoning, public speaking, and critical thinking skills.
Throughout the competition, students engaged in intellectually stimulating debates addressing contemporary and socially relevant issues, demonstrating confidence, eloquence, research capacity, and leadership potential.
Following the final round of debates, Eva Adelaja Girls Senior Secondary School, Bariga, Lagos, emerged overall winner of the competition, with participating students receiving laptop computers alongside the championship trophy presented to the school.
Dansol High School secured second place, with students receiving tablets, while Keke Senior High School emerged third place, with participating students awarded mobile phones. Both schools also received trophies in recognition of their outstanding performances.
The competition also recognised exceptional individual performances. A student from Keke Senior High School emerged as the Best Male Speaker, while a student from Dansol High School was named Best Female Speaker. In recognition of their excellence and leadership potential, both students, alongside students from the winning school, were awarded internship opportunities with British Council Nigeria.
Held in honour of the late Mr. Akintola Williams, the initiative continues to preserve and celebrate his legacy of excellence, integrity, education, and nation-building by empowering young people through intellectual and leadership development opportunities.
The event attracted distinguished guests and stakeholders from the education, diplomatic, and corporate sectors, including the representative of the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary School Education, Mr. Peter Adefioye; Vice Chancellor of Monarch University, Prof. (Mrs.) Mopelola Omoegun; daughter of the late Mr. Akintola Williams, Ms. Tokunbo Williams; and the Deputy Country Director of British Council Nigeria, Mr. Chilufya Besa, who represented the Country Director.
Also in attendance were members of the Nigeria-Britain Association, school administrators, educators, parents, development stakeholders, and invited guests who gathered to support and encourage the participating students.
Speaking during the event, President of the Nigeria-Britain Association, Mr. Sola Oyetayo, commended the students for their outstanding performances and intellectual depth, noting that the competition continues to serve as an important platform for nurturing future leaders, strengthening communication skills, and encouraging informed civic engagement among young people.
He also expressed appreciation to the Association’s partners and supporters, including Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Executive Hotel & Suites, B & L Architects Limited, the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education, NEM Insurance Plc, British Council Nigeria, Scib Nigeria & Co. Limited, Stonezero Investment Limited, and Transport Services Limited, for their support towards the successful delivery of the programme.
The Akintola Williams Youth Debate Competition remains one of N-BA’s flagship youth-focused initiatives and reflects the Association’s broader commitment to educational advancement, youth empowerment, institutional collaboration, and sustainable social impact programming.
Through initiatives such as this, the Nigeria-Britain Association continues to strengthen educational and cultural ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom while creating opportunities that inspire leadership, confidence, intellectual growth, and positive societal contribution among young people.
