UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR EMERGES 2ND POSITION IN THE JUST CONCLUDED 11TH ALL-NIGERIA UNIVERSITIES DEBATING CHAMPIONSHIP

The University of Calabar  Debate and Public Speaking team emerged 2nd Position after a keenly contested intellectual battle in the just concluded All-Nigeria Universities Debating Championship hosted by Veritas University, Abuja. One of its speakers, Collins Undelikwo from the department of Computer Science was crowned OVERALL BEST SPEAKER

of the 2024 competition. The University also clinged 3rd Position in Public Speaking.

The championship which commenced on September 8 - 14, 2024 took participants through 7 preliminary debate rounds featuring topics from sports, citizenship, society and culture, public policy, economics and taxation, politics, etc had in participation over 20 institutions including the host Veritas University, Afe Babalola University, University of Ilorin, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State University, University of Maiduguri, among others.

The UNICAL representatives include: Collins Undelikwo from the department of Computer Science, Williams Oju from the department of Biochemistry, Victor Bisong, faculty of Law, Nathan Victor, department of history and international studies, Miracle Ime from faculty of Law and Mr. Franklin Ubi, the Debate and Public Speaking Coach.

The All-Nigeria Universities Debating Championship (ANUDC) is the biggest debating and public speaking competition in Nigeria which is held annually. It engages University students, the cream of the Nigeria population on educational discussions on how to shape the future of our society and develop their critical thinking skills, tolerance and appreciation of differing point of views. It is the intellectual equivalent of NUGA.

The University of Calabar made history as the team with the highest number of qualifications to the finals of the competition (a record 8 finals qualifications). It has won the championship twice, the first time in 2013 and the second in 2017.

Breaking news: Unical Team qualifies for finals of National Debate Competition

 The University of Calabar Debate team has qualified for the finals of My Nigeria Our Nigeria National Debate Competition for tertiary institution organised by Yiaga Africa with support from Open Society Foundation and in collaboration with the All- Nigeria Universities Debating Championship, the National Universities Commission and some media organisations. The Debate team emerged victorious after scoring 11 points out of 12 possible points defeating University of Benin, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, River State University, among others at a south-south zonals encounter held at Port Harcourt. 

24 institutions across the 6 geo-political zones debated at the zonal levels, only 8 qualified qualified for the final rounds to be held in Abuja on the 17th and 18th of August, 2024 at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies. Unical will once again slog it out with other zonal champions for the first prize position which will be broadcast live across various national television channels and social media platforms. 

The University of Calabar team was represented by Victor Bisong from the Faculty of Law and Collins Undelikwo from the department of computer science and was led by the University Debate and Public Speaking Coach, Mr. Franklin Ubi.