RECENTLY, a team of exceptional students from public schools in Delta State who represented Nigeria at a prestigious international debate competition held in Doha, Qatar, emerged World Debate Champions after stunning the world with their excellent performance, which captured the admiration of Nigerians and the global academic community.
The championship, which featured rigorous debates on global policy, governance, ethics, and climate action, saw Delta’s representatives defeating teams from several advanced countries and elite institutions from different parts of the world as they stood out for their confidence, articulation, resilience and analytical clarity. They spoke with authority, challenged conventional perspectives, and proposed practical solutions with poise.
The winning team comprised Wisdom Chukwuma of Government College, Ughelli; Otovo Uyoyou of Alegbo Secondary School, Effurun; Abraham Honour of Okpaka Secondary School, Okpaka; Ikhamateh Splendour of Government Model Secondary School, Asaba; and Alika Daniel of Utagba-Ogbe Grammar School, Kwale. Ikhamateh Splendour was named Overall Best Debater of the competition. Their journey reflects what determination, mentorship, and government support can achieve.
The brilliant achievement of the students, no doubt, is more than a trophy win; it is, indeed, a testament to rising educational standards in Delta State, which is driven by the visionary leadership and sustained strategic investments of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in education and other sectors of the state economy.
Congratulating the students, Governor Oborevwori described their triumph as a proud moment for Nigeria and a testament to Delta’s growing profile as a centre of academic excellence. He praised their discipline and brilliance, noting that their success underscores the impact of his administration’s investments in education under the MORE Agenda. He also celebrated Ikhamateh Splendour’s recognition as a shining reflection of the “Delta Can-Do Spirit.”
This victory is symbolic of a broader transformation in the state’s education sector nurtured under the MORE Agenda—Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms, and Enhanced peace and security. At the core of this agenda is education as a tool for empowering the next generation to thrive globally.
Since assuming office, Governor Oborevwori has sustained and expanded reforms in education, modernising infrastructure and deepening academic standards. A key part of this has been collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). By consistently paying counterpart funding, the state has attracted billions in federal support used to renovate classrooms, build new blocks, equip labs, and introduce digital learning tools.
For instance, in June, the State Executive Council (SEC) approved the release of N6.7 billion as counterpart funding to access UBEC grants. According to the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, this funding aligns with the MORE Agenda, enhancing infrastructure and human capital development.
The government has also prioritised teacher training and welfare, equipping educators with 21st-century methodologies and improving their morale. These initiatives have created an enabling environment in which talents like the debate champions have been nurtured through local clubs, school contests, and quiz competitions promoted by the state.
The transformation is not limited to basic education. Delta’s higher education sector has seen robust growth, building on the foundation laid by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. The state now boasts of four public universities: Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka; Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Asaba; University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor; and Southern Delta University, Ozoro, with a new campus at Orerokpe.
Governor Oborevwori has approved the expansion of academic programmes at Southern Delta University and its Orerokpe campus, including professional courses in engineering, medical sciences, IT, and business development. This expansion increases access to quality education, especially for rural students.
Additionally, the state supports students through bursaries, scholarships, and grants, ensuring that indigent but talented students are not denied opportunities. These initiatives are now producing results, not just in local exams but on global platforms like the Doha debate victory.
The performance of the Delta team has been widely praised by educationists and policy analysts who see it as evidence of what is possible when leadership aligns with vision. Governor Oborevwori hailed them as “true ambassadors of Delta’s excellence,” embodying discipline, resilience, and intellectual courage.
“This victory belongs to every teacher, parent, and school administrator committed to shaping our children. We are building a Delta where knowledge is power, and our youth can dream beyond borders,” he said.
The governor’s remarks underscore his broader goal: to raise a generation of global thinkers and innovators who will drive Delta’s transformation. With education reforms, digital learning, and youth-focused programmes, Delta is steadily becoming a hub of academic excellence.
The journey of the students to international stardom in Doha, Qatar, began when they emerged champions at the 2025 National Basic Education Debate Championship, organised by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), which brought together, top young debaters from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to showcase their oratory skills, critical thinking, and teamwork.
At the national level of the competition, the team of Delta students distinguished themselves through compelling argumentation, eloquence, and a firm grasp of contemporary issues, where they subsequently outperformed their peers in a series of intense rounds to clinch the top spot. This historic achievement marks a significant milestone in Delta State’s educational advancement efforts under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Before their departure to Doha in Qatar for the international competition, the victorious students from the state were presented before Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for recognition. Receiving the students at Government House, Asaba, Governor Oborevwori described their victory as a testament to his administration’s unwavering commitment to education.
“I am truly delighted by the intellectual depth and eloquence demonstrated by these students. They are true ambassadors of Delta State. This win proves that our investments in education through school renovation, teacher recruitment and training, provision of instructional materials, and promotion of extracurricular activities are yielding tangible results,” he said.
Governor Oborevwori emphasised the transformative power of education, describing it as the bedrock of any successful life. He expressed particular pride that the students, though trained locally, could stand tall on any global stage, saying, “When I see children of this age speak so intelligently, I am very happy. These are not children trained abroad; they are home-grown talents, nurtured here in Delta State. It shows how much we value education.”
The Governor noted that their success would further inspire his administration to deepen investments in the educational sector, adding that “representing Nigeria on the global stage means you’ve already made us proud. Winning the national debate confirms we’re on the right path. It motivates us to do even more for our children.”
