Not less than eight secondary schools in Lagos State are set to participate in the second edition of Dare2Debate, a youth development initiative of HACmedia Communications, as organisers expand the competition to promote critical thinking, public speaking and leadership among young Nigerians.
The team lead, Davies Ikpoyi, disclosed this during an interview on Inside Scoop, a programme on Adamimogo 105.1FM Ibadan, saying the 2026 edition would be bigger than the inaugural competition held last year.
Ikpoyi, popularly known as MC Davis, said the initiative had recorded progress in its capacity and school participation, with organisers preparing to accommodate about 500 people, compared with the estimated 100 to 120 at the first edition.
He added that the number of schools that received training through the programme had increased from about five or six in the inaugural year to 10 this year.
The preliminary rounds are scheduled for October 17 at CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, while the grand finale will hold on October 24 at the Department of Education, University of Lagos.
CMS Grammar School, which won the inaugural edition, will host the preliminary stage of the competition.
According to Ikpoyi, the eight participating schools will compete in the preliminary rounds, with four advancing to the semifinals and final at the University of Lagos.
Beyond winning arguments
Ikpoyi said Dare2Debate was established to equip students with skills beyond winning arguments, explaining that the initiative operates under the principle of “Think, Speak, Lead”.
He said the programme encourages students to think independently, listen to opposing views and communicate their ideas confidently and responsibly.
According to him, feedback from school administrators, teachers and proprietors following the first edition helped generate interest in the initiative and encouraged more schools to participate.
He said organisers had observed improvements in students’ conversations and communication during their engagements with participating schools.
“We don’t just want students to learn how to win arguments. We want them to learn how to think independently, listen to others and lead,” he said.
Why schools need debating competitions
The Dare2Debate team lead said debating remained important in schools despite growing attention to artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
He explained that structured debate teaches students to research issues, assess evidence, consider opposing perspectives and defend their positions with reasoned arguments.
Ikpoyi added that the exercise builds confidence, improves listening skills and teaches students how to disagree respectfully without turning differences of opinion into personal conflict.
He also identified critical thinking as an important tool for combating misinformation, noting that research-based discussions encourage young people to question claims rather than accept information without scrutiny.
“Debating helps to develop critical thinking. Debating helps to build confidence. It teaches respectful disagreements,” he said.
He argued that these skills could benefit students academically and professionally while preparing them for leadership responsibilities.
Calls for greater support
Ikpoyi called on governments, schools and other stakeholders to give greater attention to debating, critical thinking and leadership development in secondary education.
He said schools should view debate as an important part of students’ development rather than merely an extracurricular activity or a competition to be won.
He also encouraged members of the public to support the initiative and attend the forthcoming events to witness students engage in structured argument and public discourse.
In his closing remarks, Ikpoyi said the ultimate goal was not simply to produce young people who could speak fluently, but those capable of thinking carefully and using their knowledge responsibly.
“We don’t need a generation that simply knows how to speak. We need a generation that knows what to see, why they see what they see, and how to see it responsibly,” he said.
