Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, is hosting the 13th All Nigeria Universities Debate Championship (ANUDC 2026), bringing together outstanding student debaters from universities across the country.
The championship, themed “Reason Over Anarchy: Raising a Generation That Wins With Words,” opened on Monday at the university’s Nkpolu-Oroworukwo campus.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, who represented Governor Siminalayi Fubara, urged Nigerian youths to embrace reason, dialogue and intellectual engagement in resolving differences and advancing national development.
Nwagor described the theme as timely, stressing the need to raise a generation capable of resolving disagreements through constructive engagement rather than aggression.
He said young Nigerians could “win with words, change the world with reason and lead with argument rather than aggression.”
The commissioner noted that debating develops important leadership skills, including logical reasoning, evidence-based argument, effective communication, listening and composure under pressure.
He urged the participants to see the championship as more than a competition, but as an opportunity to learn how to engage people with differing views respectfully and constructively.
Nwagor also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving the quality of education across all levels and commended the university and its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, for hosting the national championship.
Declaring the event open, Zeb-Obipi urged the student debaters to compete with open minds and critical thinking, speak with confidence and take pride in presenting their positions regardless of the outcome.
The ANUDC 2026 is aimed at promoting critical thinking, intellectual engagement, leadership and constructive national discourse among university students.
