A 14-year-old student from a public secondary school in Lagos State has clinched the top prize at a major intellectual contest, showcasing the transformative impact of corporate investment in education. Ndubuisi Praise, a student of Community Senior Secondary School, Bayeku, Ikorodu, was declared the overall winner of the Jendol Annual Debate Championship (JADC) Season 3.0 on Monday, 15 December 2025.
A Triumph of Talent and Preparation
The grand finale, held at the Al-Hamed Ashade venue, was a closely fought contest that featured the best young orators from public secondary schools across Lagos and Ogun states. This year's challenging motion was: "Content creation and viral culture have done more harm than good to Nigerian youth and society." Ndubuisi impressed the panel of judges with his exceptional analytical skills, clear articulation, and confident presentation, ultimately securing the highest score.
Professor Bolarinwa Bamidele Josef, the Chief Judge, revealed that the decision was incredibly difficult. He noted that many semi-finalists displayed a competence level worthy of the championship title, making the final deliberation one of the toughest in recent memory. The competition, organized by Santab Productions Ltd. and fully sponsored by Jendol Superstores, started with a massive pool of 570 contestants from 257 public senior secondary schools.
Rewarding Excellence: Prizes and Recognition
For his outstanding performance, Ndubuisi Praise received a life-changing cash prize of ₦1 million. His winnings were boosted with a shopping voucher from Jendol Superstores and an additional ₦150,000 from ALAT Xplore by WEMA Bank. Recognizing the crucial role of educators, his teacher, Mrs. Kehinde Alarape, was rewarded with ₦250,000 for her guidance. His school also benefited, receiving learning materials including a magnetic whiteboard, markers, and dusters.
The runners-up were also handsomely rewarded. Adelaja Esther from Air Force Senior Secondary School, Shasha, Lagos, as first runner-up, received ₦700,000, while Ayodele David from Alimosho Senior Secondary School, Lagos, as second runner-up, got ₦500,000. Their teachers were also given monetary awards. All finalists and semi-finalists were celebrated, aligning with the competition's core goal of fostering academic excellence and self-assurance among public-school students.
Corporate Commitment and Government Endorsement
Dr. Mark Akhabue, Managing Director of Jendol Superstores, addressed the gathering, stating that what began as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative has evolved into a significant platform for discovering and nurturing talent in the public school system. He expressed pride in the program's growing participation each year and reaffirmed Jendol's commitment to sustaining and expanding the initiative.
The event garnered praise from government officials. Afolabi Sholebo, Managing Director of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, commended the organizers, stating that the competition's outcome is clear evidence that academic excellence thrives in public schools when students are given the right platforms and opportunities. Representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, both of which endorsed the program, praised the initiative and reiterated their continued support.
Mrs. Oluwakemi Akhabue, Executive Director of Jendol Superstores, encouraged all finalists, reminding them that reaching that stage was already a monumental victory. For the winner, Ndubuisi, who aspires to a career in accounting and human rights advocacy, the championship has been a transformative experience, significantly boosting his confidence and broadening his horizons for the future.
