Lagos Students Showcase Critical Thinking At JAYEF 2026 Inter-Secondary Schools’ Debate

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos

Secondary school students from across Lagos State’s Education District I demonstrated exceptional debating and critical-thinking skills on Wednesday 10 June, as they competed in the 2026 Inter-Secondary Schools Debate Competition at the State Schools Complex, Alimosho.

The event, organised and sponsored by the Joseph Adewole Youth Empowerment Foundation (JAYEF) in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, was themed “Brain Task” and focused on encouraging students to develop intellectual capacity, leadership skills, and responsible citizenship.

In the junior category, six schools debated the motion: “Social media does more harm than good to secondary school students in Lagos State.”

Participating schools included Abesan Junior High School, State Junior High School Alimosho, Alimosho Junior Grammar School, State Comprehensive Junior College, Shasha Community Junior Grammar School, and Community Junior Grammar School, Akowonjo.

At the end of the contest, Shasha Community Junior Grammar School emerged overall winner with 73.5 points, while Community Junior Grammar School, Akowonjo, finished as runner-up with 69 points.

The senior category featured six schools debating the topic: “Drug abuse among students is as a result of bad parenting and not bad friends.”

The competing schools were Community Senior Grammar School, Ipaja; Jakande Estate Community Senior College, Abesan; Alimosho Senior Grammar School; State Senior High School, Alimosho; State Senior College,
Alimosho; and Millennium Senior Secondary School, Egbeda.

Alimosho Senior Grammar School secured first place, while Millennium Senior Secondary School emerged runner-up.

Prizes, certificates of participation, and awards were presented to the winning schools in recognition of their outstanding performances.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, JAYEF President and Founder, Amb. Joseph Olaoluwa Adewole, described the debate as one of the foundation’s flagship youth development initiatives.

According to him, the programme goes beyond competition by providing a platform for engagement, empowerment, and leadership development among young people.

“We have visited more than 400 schools across Lagos State over the last four and a half years. Through these engagements, we have gained valuable insights into the challenges facing young people and how best to redirect their minds towards excellence, success, and purposeful living,” he said.

Adewole urged participating students to view themselves as future leaders whose ideas and contributions could positively influence society.

Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, Assistant Director of Education, Dr. Omoniyi Bolaji, commended the organisers for promoting values-based education and critical thinking among students.

She encouraged students to embrace what he described as the three pillars of success: character, competence, and consistency.

“Your character will open doors that certificates alone cannot open. Competence brings value, while consistency helps you overcome challenges and achieve your goals,” she said.

Delivering the keynote address titled “My Journey: From Humble Beginnings to Purposeful Leadership,” Chairman and Managing Director of Emmppek Farms Limited, Dr. Emmanuel Audu Ohwavborua, shared his personal story of rising from a modest background to becoming a respected engineer, entrepreneur, and business leader.

Drawing from his experiences, he challenged students to maximise the power of their minds, stressing that every great achievement begins as an idea.

“The greatest asset any young person possesses is not money or social connections but the mind. Your mindset determines your destiny,” he said.

Ohwavborua also warned against examination malpractice, cybercrime, and drug abuse, urging students to embrace integrity, discipline, and continuous learning.

In separate interviews, both Adewole and Ohwavborua emphasized the need for an education system that promotes critical thinking, innovation, and practical problem-solving.

They expressed optimism that initiatives such as the annual debate competition would help raise a generation of responsible and solution-driven leaders capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.

The debate competition forms part of ongoing efforts by JAYEF and its partners to strengthen youth engagement and encourage academic excellence among secondary school students across Lagos State.