Students of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, made an impressive debut at the 2024 All Nigeria Universities Debating Championships (ANUDC), advancing to the semi-final stage—an achievement unprecedented for first-time participants.
The Championships, held at Veritas University in Abuja, saw over 40 debating teams from universities across Nigeria compete. ATBU was represented by two debate teams, two public speakers, and one adjudicator.
Leading the ATBU contingent was the President of the Students Union Government (SUG), Comrade Fahad Abdullahi.
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The ATBU students showcased their skills, successfully navigating eight rounds of preliminary debates and public speaking events to reach the quarterfinals and semifinals—an extraordinary feat for a debuting team.
Notably, one of ATBU’s public speaking representatives, Jane Mann-Effiong, advanced to the semi-finals and earned recognition as one of the top 15 public speakers of the tournament.
The university’s debate teams were represented by Umaru Shekoyemi Gift, Emmanuel John, Florence Ogah Abizun, and Khairat Oyiza Abdulrazaq. In the public speaking competition, Jane Mann-Effiong, Gbemisola, and Henry Goni Patrick participated.
Additionally, Muhammad Sadik Abubakar served as an adjudicator, sitting on the panel of judges for seven rounds of the debates, according to a statement by Zailani Bappa, Director of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (I&PR).