By Olokuta Rofiat
The Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB), has flagged off the 2025 edition of its “Head-to-Head School Debate” reality show, a two-week programme designed to curb out-of-school cases and boost enrolment, especially among girls.
Speaking at the launch, FCT-UBEB Chairman, Dr. Hassan Suleiman, said the initiative would empower students to identify out-of-school peers, report them to authorities, and drive community outreach on the benefits of free and compulsory education.
He described early education as “the potent antidote to poverty and insecurity,” stressing the urgency of closing enrolment gaps.
This year’s edition brings together 33 students from 11 schools across the six area councils of the FCT.
Participants will engage in debates, advocacy training, and rural community outreach, highlighting barriers to education while proposing actionable solutions at both grassroots and policy levels.
Dr. Jummai Ahmadu, hailed as the “mother of the debate show,” noted that previous editions had already spurred enrolment gains and strengthened community buy-in.
She expressed optimism that trained students would serve as education ambassadors within Abuja and across Nigeria.
Organisers said the peer-to-peer approach is central to the programme, as students can better connect with their peers through shared experiences and language.
Official sensitisation efforts will complement their outreach in underserved communities.
The debate series, which opened today at the FCT-UBEB headquarters, runs until August 28, 2025, marking two weeks of youth-led advocacy aimed at closing Nigeria’s education gap.
Observers note the initiative’s significance in three areas: harnessing youth influence for change, prioritising girl-child education, and presenting a scalable model to tackle Nigeria’s out-of-school challenge nationwide.
