A 500-level law student of the University of Abuja, Amra Salihu, has emerged the winner of the 2026 Amnesty International Intervarsity Debate Competition held in Abuja.
University of Abuja clinched first position with 86.1 points, defeating Imo State University, which came second with 73.7 points, while Madonna University secured third place with 72 points.
The Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Dr Isa Sanusi, announced the results at the grand finale of the debate competition themed “Speak. Act. Defend Rights”.
Sanusi said the organisation remained committed to expanding and improving the annual debate initiative across Nigeria as part of efforts to promote youth participation in human rights advocacy.
“We only have one aim for having this debate. That is that we want to make sure that human rights is widely understood in Nigeria and to also ensure we enhance the culture of debate and conversation between people,” he said.
According to him, the growing influence of social media and digital devices is gradually reducing people’s ability to engage in productive conversations and critical thinking.
“We have serious deficit of critical thinking at this time. People’s ability to use reason, to use logic, to use debate to make people understand them is going down. And that is why we are having so much violence in our society,” Sanusi stated.
He urged students to see the competition as an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of human rights, improve communication skills, and prepare themselves for future leadership roles.
Also speaking, the Finance and Office Manager of Amnesty International Nigeria, Benedicta Ofili, said 24 tertiary institutions initially participated in the competition, with only six finalists advancing through the knockout stages.
The finalists included Veritas University, University of Abuja, Madonna University, Imo State University, University of Port Harcourt and University of Uyo.
Ofili said the programme was established in 2023 as part of Amnesty International’s global strategy to empower young people for human rights activism and strengthen human rights discourse within tertiary institutions.
Speaking after the competition, Salihu described her victory as fulfilling and rewarding after weeks of intensive preparation and research.
“I feel excited. I also feel fulfilled. It’s like God has crowned my efforts,” she said.
She encouraged young people striving for excellence not to give up on their goals.
