Akinrinlade Fatiah, Correspondent, LASU Conscience
Lagos State University (LASU) has clinched the top spot at the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) Inter-Tertiary Institutions Debate Competition, defeating six other institutions in a fiercely contested debate competition, on Tuesday, 27th May 2025, at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Lagos.
The competition was part of the 2025 Inter-Tertiary Institutions Environmental Summit held in partnership with eTranzact, featured both essay writing and debate contests, and drawing participants from leading universities across Lagos.
The LASU debate team, managed by Samuel Olomu, a 500-level law student, comprised five students of the insitution, including Oladipupo Ramadan (300-Level, Computer Science); Atere Sarah Olateju (400-Level, Law); Ajeniya Abdulquadri (400-Level, Law); Kelvin Chukwuemeke Osadebe (300-Level, Public Administration); and Sulaiman Samad Olaitan (300-Level, English Language).
The preliminary rounds, held on 19th May 2025 at the LASEPA Headquarters Conference Room, Alausa, saw LASU dominate with an 85% score, the highest in that round against University of Lagos (UNILAG), St Augustine College of Education, Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Anchors University and Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH).
The final round, held on Tuesday, 27th May 2025, at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, pitted LASU against LASUSTECH, where they debated on a critical topic: “Plastic Pollution and the Challenges of Just Transition in a Developing Economy: Lagos as a Case Study.” LASU’s team presented arguments on the urgent need to transition from plastics to curb environmental crisis in Lagos, emphasising policy reforms, sustainable alternatives, and public awareness.
Dr Abiodun Fatai-Abatan, the Acting Dean of Students’ Affairs, Lagos State University, expressed pride in the team’s achievement. He attributed the team’s victory to the intellectual excellence and dedication of students’ at Lagos State University.
“LASU’s victory today reaffirms our position as a leading institution in both academic and extracurricular excellence. Our students continue to prove themselves as champions, and this success stems from the supportive intellectually stimulating environment made possible by our world class Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, who priotises students capacity building and academic development” he said.
While he commended LASEPA for this initiative, he noted that the importance of competitions like this are invaluable, challenging students to engage critically with real-world issues, shaping them into future leaders and actors in policy and development process.
Samuel Olomu, LASU participant’s team manager, hailed the team’s resilience attributing it to rigorous preparations, demonstrated brilliance, and teamwork. “Winning against universities like UNILAG and LASUSTECH shows LASU’s dominance in intellectual discourse. I urge the Lagos State Government to sustain such platforms, as they nurture future leaders in environmental sustainability.”
The competition not only showcased academic prowess but also reinforced the role of youths in driving sustainable development. As such, with this victory, LASU solidifies its reputation as a hub for academic excellence, setting a platform of leading conversations on the nation’s challenges.
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