Veritas University, Abuja, will host the 2026 Pan-African Universities Debate Championship (PAUDC) between December 12 and 20 at its Bwari campus.

Chairman, Veritas University Senate Committee on PAUDC 2026, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, announced this at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Idachaba said the championship, with the theme, ”The Republic of Reason: Building Africa’s Future through Debate,” was expected to attract about 1,000 delegates from universities across Africa.

He said the event would provide an opportunity for young Africans to engage in debates on issues relating to governance, economic development, technology, peace, democracy and identity.

According to him, Nigeria is hosting the continental debating community over a decade after it last held the championship.

He stated, “For Veritas University hosting PAUDC 2026 is a natural extension of a strong tradition of excellence in debate and public speaking.

“In 2022, Veritas became the first and remains the only Nigerian university to have won the Pan-African Universities Debate Championship.

”In 2024, the university emerged champion at the Commonwealth Universities Debating Championship in Rwanda.

“Our students have continued to distinguish themselves nationally and internationally, including at the World Universities Debating Championship and, more recently, at the All Nigerian Universities Debate Championship, where Veritas returned with three trophies and eleven medals.”

Mr Idachaba said the 2026 championship would feature the main debate competition, public speaking championship and ”Voices of a Continent,” a civic and intellectual forum on Pan-Africanism, leadership, citizenship and Africa’s future.

He said the championship would also feature the legacy lab, through which promising student-led initiatives would receive mentorship and incubation.

According to him, selected projects under the legacy lab will receive seed funding of up to $5,000 to support the implementation of their ideas.

He said the championship would offer a total prize of $20,000 (27 million naira) across major competitive categories.

Mr Idachaba said the winning debate team would also receive sponsorship to represent Africa at the next world universities debating championship.

He said the event would provide opportunities for participants from different African countries to interact through cultural activities, social programmes and tours.

The chairman said PAUDC 2026 had the support of the Federal Government and the endorsement of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, assured of the institution’s readiness to host the event, noting that additional hostel facilities had been provided to accommodate participants.

Mr Ichoku said the university had also commenced preparations to ensure adequate security for the visitors throughout their stay.

According to him, security arrangements will involve relevant security agencies, including the military and police.

He stated, “From the time they land in Nigeria to the time they depart, we are going to be sure that they are protected and secured.”

Similarly, a member of PAUDC Central Committee, Joseph Moses, said the championship would attract about 120 universities across 30 African countries

Mr Amos said the level of interest demonstrated the growing relevance of the championship as a platform for intellectual engagement and interaction among young Africans.

He said hosting the championship in Nigeria for the second time would enable more Nigerian universities to participate, particularly by reducing the cost of travelling to other African countries.

According to him, the championship will provide opportunities for students from different regions of Africa to exchange ideas and discuss issues affecting the continent from diverse perspectives.

Mr Amos added that the platform would enable participants to better understand the lived realities, cultures and challenges of people from different parts of Africa.

”Far too long, Africa has remained divided across borders and imaginary lines that we did not naturally create.

”We envision an Africa that is no longer divided by those lines, but rather united by the ability to reason critically,” Mr Amos said.

(NAN)