Nine South-East Universities To Battle For ₦1 Million Campus Debate Prize
By AMAKA OHAFIAH
NINE universities in Anambra State will compete for a ₦1 million grand prize at the 2026 South East Campus Debate, Anambra State edition.
Billionaire businessman Chief Ikenna Okafor is sponsoring the competition to encourage students to engage with critical national issues and develop their intellectual abilities.
Speaking at a press briefing in Awka, Okafor said the initiative would inspire young Nigerians to participate in discussions about the country’s future. He added that students must prepare to become informed leaders and active contributors to national development.
Having participated in debates and quiz competitions during his school days, the businessman said he wanted to help sustain and improve the tradition.
The competition will receive support through some of his businesses and the Idi Ezeani Nzekwuabuo Foundation, which honours his late father, Chief Paulinus Okafor.
According to Okafor, the foundation also supports pupils and university students, people living with sickle cell disease, blind students and widows.
The participating institutions include Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam; Paul University, Awka; and Madonna University, Okija.
Others are Tansian University, Umunya; Peter University, Achina-Onneh; University on the Niger, Umunya; Shanahan University, Onitsha; and Legacy University, Okija.
Preliminary rounds are scheduled for 17 and 18 October, while organisers have fixed 31 October for the grand finale.
Although the competition offers a financial reward of up to ₦1 million for the winning team, Okafor said its lasting benefits would include stronger reasoning, improved communication and sharper persuasive skills.
He described the Anambra edition as the beginning of a broader initiative and thanked MacClem Marketing for introducing the idea to him.
