The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has honoured the brilliant young minds who emerged victorious in its annual secondary schools essay and debate competition. The grand finale and prize-giving ceremony, held recently, served as a powerful showcase of Nigerian students' deep grasp of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics will transform the nation's future.
Celebrating Excellence and Innovative Thinking
The event saw Rhoda Aluko of Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, clinch the top spot in the debate segment. The debate critically analysed the dual impact of robotics and AI on Nigeria's job landscape. Taiwo Olalekan from Eric Moore Senior High School, Surulere, secured the second position, while Isabella Oyeleye of Caleb British International School placed third.
The winners and their schools were rewarded with an array of prizes including cash awards, laptops, smart watches, and other gifts from event sponsors. As the overall winner, Rhoda Aluko received an additional seed investment prize from Cordros Capital Limited. Her teacher was also recognized with a cash prize and a mobile phone.
LCCI President, Gabriel Idahosa, represented by his Deputy, Leye Kupoluyi, praised the ceremony as a true celebration of ideas, excellence, and the limitless potential harboured by Nigerian youth. He emphasized that the competition has grown into much more than a contest; it is now a vital platform that sparks critical thinking and innovation among students.
"This year’s gathering demanded reflection, depth and transformative thinking. Our students not only rose to the challenge, they excelled. Their essays showcased exceptional maturity, analytical strength and refreshing originality," Kupoluyi stated on behalf of the President.
Rigorous Selection and Key Insights
The competition attracted significant interest, with a total of 234 entries submitted from secondary schools across Lagos State. However, the evaluation process revealed a crucial detail about the use of modern tools: 150 entries were disqualified for failing to meet the 20% ethical-use threshold for AI assistance. This left 84 essays eligible for final grading.
Olusegun Hokon, Chief Academic Planning Officer at Lagos State University (LASU), who presented the results, explained that the essays were judged based on strict criteria. These included:
- Originality and creativity
- Grammar and clarity
- Context and coherence
- Appropriate use of data and references
LCCI Vice-President, Layo Bakare-Okeowo, commended the finalists for their remarkable diligence and creative prowess.
Call to Action: From Theory to Practical Solutions
The ceremony also featured a charge to the students from the Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. The Commissioner, Olatunbosun Alake, represented by Theophilus Muto, urged the youths to move beyond theoretical discussions. He challenged them to develop practical, AI-driven solutions that address real community problems while meeting international standards.
Muto highlighted the enormous economic promise of AI, which is projected to contribute over $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. He also noted the complex dynamics of the future job market, where technological advances could create approximately 97 million new jobs globally while displacing around 92 million.
"Individuals who succeed will be those who can collaborate with technology," he asserted, pointing to accompanying challenges such as job displacement, the digital divide, data privacy issues, and the necessity for continuous skills retraining.
Idahosa reaffirmed the Chamber's steadfast commitment to education and youth empowerment. He stated that the LCCI is actively strengthening partnerships designed to expose students to crucial areas like entrepreneurship, innovation, digital literacy, and leadership. These concerted efforts, he noted, are essential for nurturing a globally competitive generation capable of driving Nigeria's development forward.
