Government at all levels and individual citizens have been advised to deepen national unity and harness Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity as a source of collective strength.
These formed part of the resolution of Speakers at the National Orientation Agency’s ,NOA National Campus Debate Series, 2025 Southwest Zonal Competition, held at the June 12 Cultural Center, Abeokuta.
Discussing the topic “Unity in Diversity: Defining Nigerian Identity in Nigeria’s Multi-Cultural Society”, student representatives from higher institutions across Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, and Ogun States stressed that Nigeria’s diversity should not be viewed as a weakness but rather as a strategic advantage to be managed through education, inclusive institutions and civic engagement.
The debaters emphasized the importance of teaching peace and tolerance from the primary school level to nurture future citizens who value unity above prejudice.
The debate, themed “Unity in Diversity: Defining National Identity in Nigeria’s Multicultural Society”, is part of NOA’s flagship civic engagement programme aimed at building responsible, patriotic and intellectually grounded youth.
Speaking at the event, the Southwest Zonal Director of NOA, Mrs. Francisca Olufunke Salako, who represented the agency’s Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the campus debate is designed not only as a competition but as a platform to nurture young Nigerians to think critically, reflect on national values, and take ownership of the country’s future.
“This year’s edition has taken a three-tier format. Institutions across all 36 states and the FCT submitted entries, which were screened before advancing to zonal contests.
Winners at this stage will proceed to the national grand finale scheduled to hold in Abuja during Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebration at the Presidential Villa, where President Bola Tinubu is expected to unveil the National Values Charter,” Salako disclosed.
She warned youths against cultism, drug abuse and other harmful practices, urging them to channel their energy towards intellectual growth and nation-building.
“Let your strength be your intellect. Let your rebellion be against ignorance and corruption. Use your energy to build Nigeria, not tear it down,” she said.
The NOA also used the occasion to introduce the CLEAN App, a digital platform designed to strengthen citizen engagement by providing access to government information, enabling communities to report challenges, and connecting with public institutions for solutions. The app is already available on iOS and will soon be launched on Android.
Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Comrade Lanre Ogunyinka, praised the quality of the presentations and said the performance of the students was a pointer to a brighter future for Nigeria.
He added that the debate reflected the spirit of unity and intellectual strength among young Nigerians:
“If our youths can research, cite data, and present constructive arguments the way we have seen today, then the hope for a greater Nigeria is alive.”
The Abeokuta event was attended by NOA directors from the six Southwest states, judges, facilitators, and other stakeholders.
Ogun State emerged the winner defeating five other states in a contest that tested intellectual depth and civic awareness.
Ogun team represented by Mountain Top University, secure the top spot with 167 points.
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Oyo State, came second with 159 points, while Osun State College of Education clinched third place with 158 points. Contestants from Lagos, Ondo and Ekiti states also participated.
