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.

The competition was part of the 2025 Inter-Tertiary Institutions Environmental Summit held in partnership with eTranzact, featuring both essay writing and debate contests, drawing participants from leading universities across Lagos.

The LASU debate team, expertly managed by Samuel Olomu, comprised five outstanding students of the institution, 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 despite facing stiff competition from the 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 compelling arguments on the urgent need to transition from plastics to curb environmental crisis in Lagos, emphasising policy reforms, sustainable alternatives, and public awareness.

Their well-researched presentation, persuasive and excellent delivery, secured them the championship title and a prize of ~N~1 million.

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, 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 the 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.