Government Day Secondary School Wins ‘I Beg To Differ’ Season Nine Debate Championship

Government Day Secondary School, Karu, Abuja, has emerged champion of Season 9 of the “I Beg To Differ” Secondary School Debate Tournament after defeating Square College, Lagos, in a closely contested grand finale.

The final debate was centered on the motion, “National Unity in Nigeria Is Achievable,” with the two schools presenting sharply different positions on whether Nigeria can overcome its ethnic, religious, regional and historical divisions to build a truly united nation.

Square College, arguing in support of the motion, said national unity is achievable because Nigerians are already connected through shared institutions, economic interdependence and common national experiences.

The school argued that unity does not require Nigerians to abandon their ethnic or religious identities, but requires the country to build institutions that guarantee equal citizenship, justice and peaceful coexistence.

It pointed to constitutional protections, the National Youth Service Corps, civic education and the principle of federal character as mechanisms designed to promote integration and strengthen a common Nigerian identity.

Square College also argued that the country's challenges should not be mistaken for proof that unity is impossible, saying stronger institutions, improved security and fairness in governance can deepen national cohesion.

Government Day Secondary School, however, opposed the motion, arguing that while Nigeria can achieve cooperation and social cohesion, complete national unity remains difficult to achieve.

The school maintained that Nigeria's deep ethnic, religious, linguistic and regional identities have continued to shape citizens' loyalties and political relationships.

It also argued that Nigeria's colonial history and the circumstances surrounding the country's amalgamation created divisions that have persisted since independence.

The opposition further referenced the Nigerian Civil War and unresolved grievances as evidence that historical experiences continue to influence perceptions of national identity.

Government Day also challenged the argument that existing national institutions have achieved unity, saying institutions such as the NYSC may bring Nigerians together without necessarily eliminating the deeper divisions between them.

In their rebuttals, both sides challenged the other's definition of unity, with Square College maintaining that unity should be understood as peaceful cooperation despite differences, while Government Day argued that such cooperation amounts to cohesion rather than genuine national unity.

The debate ended in a closely fought contest among the adjudicators.

Their combined evaluation produced an aggregate of 81 points for Government Day against 75.5 for Square College before the audience vote.

The audience vote was also close, with Government Day securing 52% and Square College 48%.

The vote pushed Government Day's debate score to 86.2 points, compared with 80.3 for Square College.

The grand finale then moved to a presentation segment titled “Dear Mr. President,” which was assessed separately by the judges.

Government Day scored 28.5 points in the presentation, while Square College recorded 27 points.

Following the final assessment, Government Day Secondary School, Karu, Abuja, was declared the Season 9 champion by split decision.

Government Day Secondary School received ₦5 million from lead sponsor Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, while Square College received ₦2.5 million as runner-up and Fountain School, Jikwoyi, Abuja, received ₦1 million as second runner-up.

Obi-Weezy also presented three 14-inch HP laptops to Government Day’s two debaters and chaperone, Android tablets to Square College’s debaters and chaperone, and two Android mobile phones to Fountain School’s debaters, alongside another phone for their chaperone.

The tournament was sponsored by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, with support from Obi-Weezy, New Hall School Lekki, Nigeria Conservation Foundation, Card Center Nigeria Limited and Drinks Dome, Lekki.

Meanwhile, registration for Season 10 of the “I Beg To Differ” Secondary School Debate Tournament has commenced.