In Nigeria today, young voices are brimming with curiosity, ready to question, challenge, and reshape the world around them. Yet, many of these voices remain unheard, buried beneath rote learning and silent examinations. Dare to Debate is changing that narrative.
Set to hold on December 13, 2025, this Lagos-based inter-school debate event is not just a competition; it is a movement designed to awaken critical thought, articulate speech, and courageous leadership among secondary school students. With the endorsement of the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the programme has earned a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most credible youth engagement platforms.
Spearheaded by Davies Ikpoyi, project director and visionary behind the initiative, Dare to Debate is part of the broader Think. Speak. Lead. (TSL) experience—an educational ecosystem that has trained over 3,000 students nationwide in public speaking, critical thinking, and leadership.
“Dare to Debate is a classroom for courageous thinking and speaking,” says Ikpoyi. “It helps young Nigerians think deeply, argue persuasively, and lead confidently.”
The event’s format brings together students from secondary schools across Lagos to dissect, defend, and debate real-world issues through structured argumentation. Each round—preliminary, semi-final, and final—tests participants’ logic, research depth, and rhetorical finesse.
But Dare to Debate isn’t all about competition. The one-day intellectual festival begins with a grand opening ceremony and an overview of its mission, followed by multiple debate rounds punctuated with stimulating side events. From spoken-word performances and live quizzes to Think. Speak. Lead. talks, the programme fuses learning with entertainment, ensuring that both participants and spectators remain engaged.
For students like Aisha Muhammed of Command Day Senior Secondary School, the experience has been nothing short of transformative.
“TSL helped me overcome my fear of public speaking,” she shared. “Now, I can confidently express my thoughts in front of my classmates and beyond.”
Another participant, Daniel Obahon, described the initiative as “an eye-opener,” adding that it revealed the power of structured argument and the value of critical thought in everyday life.
These testimonials underscore a growing truth: Dare to Debate is bridging a crucial gap in Nigeria’s education system—one where creativity and expression often take a back seat to memorisation. By fostering civic awareness and informed dialogue, the initiative is nurturing a generation of socially conscious citizens.
Ikpoyi notes that the real challenge lies in giving students the space to connect with national and global issues. “Many young Nigerians are disengaged from public discourse,” he said. “Through Dare to Debate, we are cultivating voices that question, engage, and act.”
For sponsors and partners, the project presents a unique opportunity to invest in Nigeria’s future. Supporting Dare to Debate means backing an initiative that drives education, innovation, and leadership while offering visibility and goodwill among progressive audiences.
Past editions of the Think. Speak. Lead. experience have already delivered tangible impact—schools establishing debate clubs, communities embracing youth-led forums, and sponsors witnessing real transformation in communication culture among young Nigerians.
As the 2025 edition approaches, the anticipation builds, not just for who will win the trophies, but for what the event represents: a reawakening of dialogue, intellect, and confidence in Nigeria’s next generation.
When Lagos hosts the nation’s brightest young minds this December, one message will resonate beyond applause and accolades—
when youth are given the chance to speak, they dare to lead.
