A 500-level Law student of the University of Abuja, Amra Salihu, has emerged winner of the 2026 Amnesty International Intervarsity Debate.
The University of Abuja clinched first position with 86.1 points, defeating Imo State University, which came second with 73.7 points. Madonna University secured third place with 72 points.
The Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Dr. Isa Sanusi, announced the winners at the grand finale of the debate, themed “Speak. Act. Defend Rights,” on Monday in Abuja.
Sanusi said the organisation remains committed to expanding the annual debate competition across Nigeria to enhance young people’s participation in human rights advocacy.
“We only have one aim for this debate: to ensure that human rights are widely understood in Nigeria and to promote a culture of healthy debate and conversation among citizens.
“This is necessary because, in this age of social media and mobile phones, people are gradually losing the ability to engage in productive conversations. You go to schools or public places and hardly see two people having meaningful discussions. Everyone is glued to their phones — including myself.
“So, this debate is designed to help younger people, especially university and secondary school students, imbibe the culture of debate and critical thinking,” he said.
Sanusi noted that Nigeria and the world are currently facing a serious deficit in critical thinking.
“When people cannot use language, reason, and logic to convince others, they resort to violence. This is why we are seeing so much bloodshed around the world, not only in Nigeria,” he added.
He urged students to view the debate not merely as a competition, but as an opportunity to learn, understand human rights better, and sharpen their debating skills.
Also speaking, Amnesty International’s Finance and Office Manager, Benedicta Ofili, said 24 schools participated in the competition, but only six exceptionally strong teams reached the knockout stages.
Ofili listed the 2026 finalists as: Veritas University Abuja, University of Abuja, Madonna University Okija, Imo State University, University of Port Harcourt, and University of Uyo.
She explained that the intervarsity debate, which began in 2023, is part of Amnesty International’s global strategy to empower young people for human rights activism.
The winner, Amra Salihu, described the victory as fulfilling and rewarding after weeks of rigorous preparation and personal sacrifice.
“I feel excited and fulfilled. It’s like God has crowned my efforts. As my coach always says, ‘When you are at your best, you can beat the best,’” she said.
She encouraged young people striving for excellence never to give up.
