By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria
October 1, 2025
(Series News Online)
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced the official results of the just-concluded Zonal Face-to-Face Phase of the 2025 National Campus Debate, a flagship civic engagement program designed to stimulate intellectual rigor, national consciousness, and value-based discourse among Nigeria’s youth. The debate, which was held across the six geopolitical zones, saw several institutions participating and showcasing their skills and knowledge.
Following the completion of the zonal debates, the Agency received several petitions from participating institutions requesting a review of the screening outcomes. In keeping with NOA’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and institutional credibility, the Director General approved the constitution of an Independent Screening Panel to re-evaluate all zonal debate submissions.
The panel, composed of seven eminent Nigerians, reviewed full video recordings of each zonal debate using the official standardized scoring rubric, which evaluated key criteria including knowledge of subject matter, delivery, team coordination, rebuttal strength, and overall impact. After a meticulous and transparent review process, the panel confirmed the following institutions as Zonal Winners:
- North Central – Federal University, Lokoja (32 Points)
- North East – Federal University, Wukari (35.1 Points)
- North West – Kebbi State Polytechnic, Dakingari (32.02 Points)
- South East – Nigerian British University (32.33 Points)
- South South – Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) (33.63 Points)
- South West – Mountain Top University (36 Points)
These six institutions have now emerged as Zonal Champions and will progress to the Grand Finale of the National Campus Debate, to be hosted at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during Nigeria’s Independence Week celebrations. The Grand Finale will also feature the Presidential Unveiling of the National Values Charter, making it a symbolic convergence of youth, national values, and leadership at the highest level.
The Director General of NOA, in reaffirming the Agency’s dedication to institutional integrity, transparency, and youth development, lauded all participants for their passion, discipline, and intellectual contributions. "The National Campus Debate is not merely a competition, but a platform for shaping Nigeria’s future through youth-led dialogue and civic innovation," he emphasized.
NOA extends its profound appreciation to all institutions that participated in the 2025 debate cycle and invites the Nigerian public to follow the Grand Finale event through official NOA media channels and nationwide broadcasts.
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