Honeyland School, Lagos, has defeated Community Secondary School, Rumuolumeni, Rivers State, in the final debate of Day Three of the Season Nine national finals of the I Beg to Differ Tournament of Champions.
Honeyland scored 78.5 points, while Community Secondary School recorded 61.8 points, in the debate on the motion, “Morality Is Subjective.”
Community Secondary School argued for the motion, while Honeyland School opposed it.
Opening for the proposition, Success Favor Ito Bobong argued that morality varies across cultures, time and circumstances. She cited differences in moral practices across societies and changing attitudes toward issues such as slavery to argue that what is considered right or wrong can depend on the society and period in which people live.
She also argued that people make moral judgments based on their experiences, emotions and reasoning, rather than following one universal moral standard.
Responding for Honeyland School, Omoriege Osagiede Joseph argued that differences in customs do not mean that core moral principles are subjective.
He said justice requires a standard that applies equally to everyone, while human rights, accountability and social trust depend on shared moral values.
Joseph cited the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, arguing that its recognition of fundamental rights across nations and cultures points to universal moral principles. He also argued that societies may have different customs while sharing values such as honesty, truthfulness, justice and protection of children.
In the next round, Akpan Blessing Eno of Community Secondary School challenged Honeyland's position, arguing that agreement on the need for morality does not mean people agree on what is morally right.
She pointed to differences in religious interpretations and cultural practices, arguing that people can reach different conclusions about moral questions. She maintained that subjective morality allows each generation to reconsider moral standards based on what best protects people, dignity and society.
Akpan also argued that morality develops through human thought and cultural experience, rather than existing as one fixed standard shared by everyone.
In his closing argument, Omoriege Osagiede Joseph used the transatlantic slave trade to argue that some actions remain wrong regardless of whether societies once accepted them.
He said slavery was once legal and defended by societies, but its wrongness did not change. Instead, humanity eventually recognised the moral truth that no person should own another.
Joseph also referenced World War II and the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, arguing that humanity's condemnation of acts such as rape, murder, discrimination, child abuse and trafficking reflects shared moral principles.
He warned that if every opinion were considered morality, acts such as slavery, genocide and racism could be defended as personal choices.
The debate ended with Apeji Precious Omotere of Honeyland School, who supported Joseph's position that moral standards can be universal despite differences in culture and individual perspectives.
The judges unanimously awarded the debate to Honeyland. Judge Tonya Iyafa scored it 23.5-19.5, Judge Joy Adome scored it 24-19.5, and Judge Ama scored it 24-20.
Audience voting also favoured Honeyland 72% to 28%, producing the final score of 78.5 points to 61.8 points.
The judges said both teams needed to better define what they meant by subjective and objective morality and establish clearer criteria for proving their respective positions. They also advised the students to improve their delivery, audience engagement, pacing and argument development.
The debate brought Day Three of the national finals to a close after students tackled three motions on public opinion and governance, poverty and the nature of morality.
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