More than 200 universities from 30 African countries are expected in Abuja for the 2026 Pan-African Universities Debating Championship, as Nigeria prepares to host the continental competition for the second time in 14 years.
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Professor Armstrong Idachaba, says preparations are gathering momentum for the December 12 to 20 championship, following the endorsement of the dates and host campus by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa.
Nigeria last hosted the Pan-African Universities Debating Championship 14 years ago.
Now, more than 200 universities from 30 countries are preparing to converge on Abuja for nine days of competition involving thousands of students from across the continent.
Professor Armstrong Idachaba, who heads the Organising Committee, says assurances have been received from the government on the safety and security of participants throughout the championship.
Beyond competition, organisers say the championship will challenge young Africans to debate some of the continent’s most difficult problems.
Under the theme, “The Republic of Reasoning: Building Africa’s Future Through Debate,” students are expected to interrogate issues including xenophobia and Afrophobia, leadership, underdevelopment and the misuse of artificial intelligence.
Idachaba also explained the considerations behind the choice of the host campus and its capacity to accommodate a continental event of this scale.
Organisers say the championship will feature competitive debating, public speaking and other intellectual challenges designed to test the participants’ reasoning, argument and communication skills.
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(Editor: Ada Ononye)
