By Sofia Adenekan-Abdul
Four secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory have advanced to the grand finale of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, and European Union (EU) Union inter-secondary school debate scheduled for October 12.
The confirmed finalists include Government Science Secondary School, Maitama; Baptist High School, Kubwa; Government Day Secondary School, Dutse-Alhaji; and Ambassador Global Academy, Kwali.
During the second round, participants examined legislation, community action, artificial intelligence and the role of boys and men in advancing gender equality and protecting girls’ rights.
The competition began with 12 secondary schools drawn from across the Federal Capital Territory, with the schools progressing through successive rounds as they debated issues relating to girls’ rights, gender equality, democracy and social development.
Organised as part of activities to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child, marked on October 11, the competition provides a platform for students to engage with issues affecting girls and their future.
Arguing for legislation as a stronger driver of gender equality, Ojiego Amanda and Makwe Mmesoma of Baptist High School, Kubwa, said laws establish universal standards and provide institutional accountability.
From Pacesetters Academy, Wuye, Janga Fatima, however, argued that laws alone cannot guarantee behavioural change.
Citing Nigeria’s Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, Fatima noted that harmful practices can persist when communities lack awareness, ownership and commitment to enforcement.
On the role of boys and men in advancing the rights of girls and women, students from Government Day Secondary School, Dutse-Alhaji, and Ambassador Global Academy, Kwali, contributed to the discussion.
Speaking on artificial intelligence, Nwachukwu Chinasa of Government Day Secondary School, Dutse-Alhaji, argued that the technology is gender-neutral and can provide boys and girls with equal access to information, education and skills.
Beyond the competition, teachers called for the programme to be expanded to more schools.
Anthony Mbaguchi, an English teacher at Government Day Secondary School, Dutse-Alhaji, urged NILDS and the European Union to take the initiative directly to schools and establish clubs focused on issues affecting girls.
Similarly, Alade Samuel, an English Language teacher at Baptist High School, Kubwa, said the students had demonstrated their ability to engage with challenges affecting their generation.
Assessing the students’ performance, Chief Judge Evelyn Onyilo said they demonstrated confidence, research and public-speaking abilities, despite occasional mistakes.
She encouraged the students to continue practising, noting that public speaking improves through consistent participation.
Following the second round, the remaining one finalists will join the three confirmed schools at the grand finale, bringing the number of finalists to four.
At the institutional level, Director-General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar Suleiman, said the Institute had organised the competition for 11 years, initially at the Federal Capital Territory level before expanding it nationally.
According to Suleiman, the initiative is designed to expose young people to democracy, legislative practices and procedures while promoting dialogue instead of violence.
He also stressed that legislation and community ownership must work together to advance gender equality.
Meanwhile, Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Pedro Saraviva, called for greater investment in girls’ rights and urgent action to end child marriage.
Saraviva said more than 129 million girls worldwide remain out of school, stressing that education, health and leadership are critical to empowering girls and addressing social stereotypes.
The grand finale is scheduled for October 12.
Edited by Julian Osamoto
