St. John Vianney Science College in Ukwulu, Anambra State, clinched the title of the inaugural UK‑Nigeria Debate Competition after defeating both British and Nigerian schools in a virtual contest held on June 19, 2025. This victory marks a historic first and places the institution in the spotlight of global academic recognition.
The competition featured a total of seven elite schools: four from Nigeria—Britarch Schools (Abuja), Sure Start School (Abuja), St. Augustine’s College (Jos), and St. John Vianney Science College—and three from the UK, including Central Foundation Girls’ School, Maghull High School, and Shireland High School.
In the preliminary rounds, St. John Vianney delivered impressive performances against UK contenders Maghull High School and Central Foundation Girls’ School, securing their place in the finals. In a compelling all-Nigerian showdown, they edged out St. Augustine’s College, Jos to claim the grand prize.
The win signifies more than a trophy—it showcases the rising quality and competitive edge of Nigerian schooling on the international stage. Educators and stakeholders are praising the students for demonstrating outstanding critical thinking, eloquence, and collaborative spirit.
The event, hosted online, was envisioned as a platform to foster UK–Nigeria educational exchange and debate culture. With St. John Vianney taking the top spot, organizers are celebrating the success of the competition and are already planning a live finale or exchange visit in London next year.
The students immediately received an outpouring of praise on social media. A post on X (formerly Twitter) declared: “Wonderful that a school at Ukwulu…won the inaugural UK‑Nigeria Debate Competition on June 19, 2025” . Gratitude to teachers and Anambra’s educational policies of recent years has also been widely expressed.
Representatives from the Ministry of Education and foreign partners described the result as a milestone in Abuja–London educational ties. The achievement is expected to spur further investments in debate programs and cross-border scholastic collaborations.
