Debating is a training ground for confidence, clarity, and character. By challenging students to research, reason, and respond, debating equips them with skills that reach far beyond the classroom. It sharpens their critical thinking, strengthens teamwork, and nurtures respect for differing viewpoints, traits essential for both personal growth and future leadership.
A debate is a structured exchange of ideas between two opposing sides, the affirmative (supporting a statement) and the negative (opposing it). Both must defend their positions with logic, evidence, and persuasion while refuting their opponents’ arguments. The process not only teaches students how to think on their feet but also how to communicate with clarity and composure under pressure.
Each time a student stands to deliver a point or counter an argument, they learn the art of effective communication. They grow comfortable articulating complex ideas and presenting them before an audience. With practice, they gain the poise to handle interruptions, manage time, and respond intelligently, all of which translate into valuable life skills. Whether they are presenting a university project or sitting before future employers, the confidence built through debate remains a lasting advantage.
This is precisely why Dare2Debate has emerged as a refreshing wave in Nigeria’s education landscape to rekindle the culture of structured dialogue and critical thought among students.
The initiative offers secondary school students a platform to test ideas, challenge norms, and use persuasive communication as a tool for societal change. Scheduled for December 13, 2025, in Lagos, the event has received formal approval from the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, reinforcing its credibility as a youth-driven platform for intellectual empowerment.
Spearheaded by Davies Ikpoyi, a visionary educator and Project Director of the broader Think. Speak. Lead. (TSL) experience, Dare2Debate is part of a national movement that has already trained more than 3,000 students in public speaking, leadership, and critical thinking.
“Dare2Debate is a classroom for courageous thinking and speaking,” Ikpoyi explained. “It helps young Nigerians think deeply, argue persuasively, and lead confidently.”
Through this initiative, HACmedia and its partners are reigniting Nigeria’s long-standing culture of debate — empowering a generation to speak boldly, listen thoughtfully, and lead wisely in shaping the nation’s future.
