After a week-long outing at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, the University of Ibadan British Parliamentary Team bowed out with podium finishes across different categories at the All-Nigerian Universities Debate Championship 2026 from February 6 to February 13.
The All-Nigerian Universities Debate Championship is the largest intercollegiate debate, public speaking, and quiz competition for students in Nigerian Universities.
In the 2026 edition, 26 schools participated from across the country. The debate category is split into two divisions: Open Debate and Novice Category.
The UI team members for the 2026 edition were: David Akinjare, Kaothar Abdulkareem, Babatimehin Peace, Goodluck Akinlawon, Utibe Emmanuel, Joel Adewale, Chibuzor Okoroafor, Gerald Olokungbemi, Afeezah Wojuade, John Eriomala, Moboluwarin Ogunleye, and Ifeanyichukwu Elechi.
And so UI fielded three debate teams, two adjudicators, two public speakers, and a three-man quiz team. The debate pair for the Novice Category was Afeezah Wojuade and Ifeanyichukwu Elechi. The debate pairs for the Open Debate category were Gerald Olokungbemi and Utibe Emmanuel, John Eriomala and Moboluwarin Ogunleye. The adjudicators were David Akinjare and Kaothar Abdulkareem. The quiz representatives were Joel Adewale, Utibe Emmanuel, and Chibuzor Okoroafor. The public speakers were Babatimehin Peace and Goodluck Akinlawon.
Furthermore, the Novice Category team and one of the Open Debate Category pairs got to the quarter-finals in their respective streams. One of the adjudicators judged the final round, and one of the public speakers also got to the finals.
Speaking to David Akinjare, the Captain of the University of Ibadan British Parliamentary Debating Society, he said, “As always, this year’s Nationals were the product of many unseen hours and relentless preparation.
Moreover, every member of the contingent gave their absolute best, and it showed across every round. Our debaters evolved, our public speaker unlocked new levels of ingenuity, our adjudicators sharpened their competitive rationality, and our Quiz team was brilliant.
I am incredibly proud of this team, the work we put in, and how far we have come despite how things went. Greatness won with honest toil; that was what it was in the end.
I would also like to use this medium to extend our sincere appreciation to the Vice Chancellor, Dean of Student Affairs, TLDS, and members of the UIBPDS who supported and cheered for us along the way.
Lastly, Our special appreciation goes out to the school for supporting us to and from the competition, and to Prof. Demola Lewis, the Dean of Student Affairs, who was with us for most part of the competition and cheered us on. It was heartwarming and reassuring seeing him there.
It’s now back to the drawing board to see what ways we can make our good better and our better best.”
At the end, the contingent’s wins at the award ceremony include:
- 3rd Place, ANUDC 2026 Quiz Competition.
- Best Debate Speaker, South West Zone (John Eriomala).
- 5th Best Public Speaker, Public Speaker Category (Goodluck Akinlawon).
- 3rd Best Adjudicator, Debate Category (David Akinjare).
