Abia State students representing Nigeria have emerged overall champions at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar, in a feat the state government says demonstrates the impact of Governor Alex Otti’s education model.
The Abia State Government announced the achievement in a statement issued on Sunday, October 4, 2026, by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Otti, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, who said the students had placed Abia and Nigeria on the global map of academic excellence.
The Abia contingent, comprising students from public schools and presented by Presidential School Debate Nigeria, defeated teams from six countries to win the biggest prize of the tournament — the Best International School Debate Team award.
The 2026 championship, coordinated by Vocara Institute and hosted by the QatarDebate Centre at Georgetown University, Doha, attracted more than 84 groups from eight countries, including Jordan, India, Qatar, the Philippines and Kenya.
The QatarDebate Centre, founded by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development in 2008, is Qatar’s national debating organisation.
According to Ukoha, Team Nigeria was fully represented by Abia public school students and led by the Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Ambassador Lydia Ezihe Onuoha, alongside representatives of the Presidency and Presidential School Debate Nigeria.
The team comprised Christian Chinweotitom Esther, Chikodi Maureen, Akamnonu Franklin, Ifeanyichukwu Prisca and Simon Divine.
Ukoha said the students advanced through the preliminary rounds after edging out competitors from the Philippines, Jordan, India and Qatar before securing their place in the finals.
At the end of the championship, Team Nigeria, represented by the Abia public school students, secured four major trophies and 12 laurels for outstanding performances.
The honours included Best International School Debate Team, described by the state government as the biggest award of the tournament; Overall Best Team in the Junior Category; Best Leadership Award; and Best Debater Award.
The Abia Government said the international victory demonstrated the intellectual capacity of students in the state’s public schools and what it described as the strength of the new education model under Governor Otti.
Ukoha said the feat was another indication of the growing recognition of Abia students on the international stage.
“This historic victory has once again demonstrated the strength of Abia’s new education model under His Excellency, Dr. Alex C. Otti and the intellectual capacity of students in Abia public schools,” Ukoha said.
He added that the performance had brought recognition to both Abia and Nigeria.
“The Abia Debate Team has made Abia and Nigeria proud,” he said.
The Chief Press Secretary congratulated the students and the entire Abia contingent on the international achievement.
“Congratulations to Team Abia!” Ukoha said.
