A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Amnesty International, has organised a debate for secondary school students in Maiduguri and Jere local government areas of Borno state to promote career guidance, human rights awareness and access to technology.
The 2025 secondary school debate, themed “Secondary Schools Debate: Becoming a Child Rights Champion,” was held yesterday at the University of Maiduguri.
Speaking at the event, the programme manager of Amnesty International, Barbara Magaji said the debate was aimed at sharpening students’ critical thinking, strengthening their public speaking skills and engaging them on human rights issues, particularly the right to education.
Magaji said Amnesty International is deeply concerned about the current situation in Nigeria, where, according to UNICEF’s latest figures, over 20 million children are out of school.
She said initiatives such as the debate can encourage children who are not currently in school to speak up, approach their guardians and advocate – through appropriate channels – for their right to education.
The programme manager noted that if the barriers to education relate to infrastructure or funding, then those issues must be addressed urgently, stressing that primary and secondary education falls under state and local government responsibility, hence every child deserves to learn in a safe and enabling environment.
“The debate focuses on key themes such as the right to education, the right to make informed career choices, and responsible access to technology. While doing this, we are also mindful of our cultural and social environment. What we are promoting is respectful dialogue—an exchange of ideas where students learn from one another and deepen their awareness of children’s rights.
“Amnesty International has a global membership of over 10 million people. In Nigeria, we begin engaging our members from the age of 15 and above. It is important to introduce human rights education at an early stage, so that young people grow into adults who respect the rights and dignity of others,” Magaji said.
She also said for this edition, six schools are actively debating, while about ten others are attending as observers to learn and prepare for future participation, adding that selection for government schools was facilitated through the Ministry of Education, which assigned schools to the organisation.
Magaji added that they were intentional in ensuring diversity – bringing together girls’ schools, boys’ schools, and co-educational schools, as well as both public and private institutions.
“This is the second state to host this debate. We began in Delta State in the South-South region, and now we are here in the North-East. Our plan is to continue across other regions before returning for future editions,” she added.
The debate also featured cash prices for winners, with Halima Isa Ferobe from Abande Memorial School emerging as overall winner of a N1 million scholarship with 89.5 points ,while Zainab Banjoko from Federal Government College Maiduguri won N750,000 scholarship with 89.3 points as first runner up.
Also, Aisha Deribe of Golden Olives Academy, as well won N500,000 scholarship with 75.5 points as second runner up. Schools were awarded and recognised with certificate of attendance and participation.
