Lagos State University (LASU) has emerged overall winner of the 2025 LASEPA Inter-Tertiary Institutions Environmental Debate Competition, beating six other institutions to clinch the coveted title.
The competition, organised by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in partnership with eTranzact, was part of this year’s Environmental Summit for tertiary institutions in Lagos. It featured both essay and debate segments, with students tackling critical environmental issues facing the state.
LASU’s debate team, managed by Mr. Samuel Olomu, was made up of five exceptional students: 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).
In the preliminary round held on 19th May 2025 at the LASEPA Headquarters in Alausa, LASU topped the table with an impressive 85% score, outshining teams from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), St. Augustine College of Education, LASUED, Anchors University, and LASUSTECH.
The grand finale, which took place on Tuesday, 27th May at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, saw LASU go head-to-head with LASUSTECH. The topic for the final round was “Plastic Pollution and the Challenges of Just Transition in a Developing Economy: Lagos as a Case Study.”
LASU’s team delivered a powerful and well-researched argument, highlighting the need for urgent policy reforms, the adoption of sustainable alternatives, and increased public awareness to tackle plastic pollution in Lagos. Their presentation impressed the judges and secured them the first-place position, along with a cash prize of ₦1 million.
Reacting to the victory, Acting Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr. Abiodun Fatai-Abatan, described the win as a testament to LASU’s commitment to excellence.
“This victory reaffirms LASU’s position as a leading institution, not just in academics but also in extracurricular pursuits. Our students continue to excel because they are nurtured in an intellectually stimulating environment, thanks to the visionary leadership of our Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello,” he said.
He also praised LASEPA for organising the event, noting that such competitions help prepare students for real-world challenges and encourage them to be active players in policy and development.
Team manager, Mr. Olomu, commended the students for their resilience, teamwork, and dedication. “Winning against strong schools like UNILAG and LASUSTECH shows LASU’s strength in intellectual engagement. I urge the state government to continue supporting platforms like this, which are essential in grooming future leaders in environmental sustainability,” he said.
The competition not only celebrated academic excellence but also underscored the critical role of young people in driving the state’s environmental agenda. With this win, LASU has further cemented its reputation as a hub for intellectual leadership and progressive thinking.
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