Debate Topics for Primary Schools in Nigeria
Introduction
Are you a teacher, parent, or student looking for engaging debate topics for primary schools in Nigeria? You’re in the right place.
Debates help children think, speak, and reason better. They also build confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills — qualities that last a lifetime. In Nigerian primary schools, debates are not just fun competitions; they are also learning experiences that teach pupils how to express their thoughts clearly and respectfully.
In this post, we’ll share 80 debate topics for primary schools in Nigeria, arranged by category so you can easily find what fits your class or event. You’ll also learn how to choose the right topic and prepare pupils to speak with confidence.
So, if you’ve been searching for simple, interesting, and child-friendly debate topics for primary schools in Nigeria, this complete list will help you plan your next debate session with ease.
What Is a School Debate?
A debate is a formal discussion between two sides — one supporting (for) and one opposing (against) a specific topic. Each speaker presents reasons and examples to convince the audience or judges.
In Nigerian primary schools, debates help young learners think critically and speak fluently in English. They also teach respect for other people’s opinions.
If you want to guide pupils on how to present their arguments effectively, see our full tutorial on how to start a debate. It explains how to begin speeches, address judges, and deliver strong points confidently.
Why Debates Matter for Nigerian Pupils
Debating helps pupils learn communication, logic, and teamwork early in life. It encourages curiosity and builds public speaking skills that will help them in secondary school and beyond.
Teachers in Nigeria often use debates to make classroom learning more exciting. Pupils who take part in debates learn how to research, think fast, and defend their views politely. That’s why every school should organize debates regularly using creative debate topics for primary schools in Nigeria like the ones below.
80 Debate Topics for Primary Schools in Nigeria
Below are 80 categorized debate topics for primary schools in Nigeria that teachers and pupils can use for classroom debates, inter-house competitions, and speech events.
A. Education and School Life
- Teachers are more important than doctors.
- Homework should be banned in schools.
- Private schools are better than public schools.
- Boarding schools are better than day schools.
- Female education is better than male education.
- Examinations should be replaced with continuous assessment.
- Students should wear casual clothes to school.
- Discipline is more important than intelligence.
- Computers should replace textbooks in schools.
- Teachers should be paid more than politicians.
- Pupils should be allowed to use mobile phones in class.
- Primary schools should teach more practical subjects.
B. Family and Society
- Parents are the best teachers.
- Children should be allowed to choose their careers.
- Mothers are better parents than fathers.
- Family love is better than wealth.
- Boys should help with house chores.
- Girls should have the same rights as boys.
- It is better to be an only child than to have many siblings.
- Parents should not force children to marry early.
- Children should be punished when they do wrong.
- The love of money is the root of all evil.
C. Environment and Health
- Cleanliness is more important than beauty.
- Recycling should be taught in primary schools.
- It is better to plant trees than build houses.
- Littering should be punished in schools.
- Nigeria should ban plastic bags.
- Everyone should participate in environmental sanitation.
- School gardens should be compulsory.
- Eating fruits is better than eating junk food.
- Exercise is more important than rest.
- Pupils should walk to school instead of taking cars.
D. Technology and Media
- The internet does more harm than good.
- Watching television helps children learn faster.
- Social media should be banned for children.
- Online classes are better than classroom learning.
- Mobile phones are necessary for pupils.
- Robots will replace teachers in the future.
- Children spend too much time online.
- Reading storybooks is better than watching cartoons.
- Technology makes people lazy.
- Every school should have a computer lab.
E. Morals and Discipline
- Honesty is always the best policy.
- Respect for elders should be taught in schools.
- Stealing should lead to automatic suspension.
- Hard work is better than luck.
- Children should always tell the truth, no matter what.
- Cheating in exams should be punished severely.
- Obedience is the key to success.
- Sharing is better than keeping everything for yourself.
- Politeness is a sign of good character.
- Discipline is the foundation of education.
F. Leadership and Government
- Nigeria needs more honest leaders.
- Children should learn about government in primary school.
- The president’s salary should be reduced.
- Voting should be made compulsory for all adults.
- School prefects should be chosen by teachers, not elections.
- Corruption can be defeated through education.
- Women make better leaders than men.
- Leadership is about service, not power.
- Every child should learn how to be a good citizen.
- Nigeria will be better if everyone obeys the law.
G. General Fun Topics for Kids
- Dogs are better pets than cats.
- It is better to be rich than to be famous.
- Reading is more fun than playing video games.
- Rainy season is better than dry season.
- Football is better than basketball.
- School holidays should last three months.
- Morning is better than evening.
- Ice cream is better than chocolate.
- Laughter is the best medicine.
- Every child should have a best friend.
- Sports are more important than arts.
- Christmas is the best holiday.
- Staying at home is better than going to parties.
- Sharing food brings happiness.
- Singing is better than dancing.
- It is better to give than to receive.
- Everyone should learn to swim.
- Being kind is more important than being smart.
How to Choose the Best Debate Topic
When selecting debate topics for primary schools in Nigeria, teachers should consider three things:
- Simplicity – Topics should be easy for pupils to understand.
- Interest – Pupils should find the topic exciting.
- Balance – Each side (for and against) should have enough points to argue.
Encourage children to research both sides of a topic before taking a position. This helps them understand different opinions and speak with confidence.
For more topic ideas, visit our Debate Topic Generator. It’s a free tool that helps you find fresh debate topics instantly.
How to Prepare Pupils for Debates
Here are practical tips to prepare pupils for debate competitions:
- Teach them how to start a debate speech. A good start grabs attention and sets the tone. Learn the right way in our guide on how to start a debate.
- Practice teamwork. Let pupils work in groups to share ideas.
- Encourage research. Help them find facts and examples to support their points.
- Build confidence. Practice in class before the main debate.
- Reward effort. Praise all participants, not only winners, to build interest.
With these tips, teachers can help pupils become better speakers and thinkers while enjoying the process.
FAQs
1. What are good debate topics for primary school pupils?
Good topics are simple, fun, and easy to understand — like “Teachers are better than doctors” or “Football is better than basketball.”
2. How do I prepare pupils for a debate?
Start by explaining what debates are, divide pupils into teams, give them time to research, and encourage them to practice their speeches.
3. How many minutes should each pupil speak?
In most Nigerian primary schools, pupils speak for about 2–3 minutes each.
4. What are the benefits of debates for children?
Debates improve public speaking, confidence, teamwork, and reasoning skills.
5. Where can I find more debate topics online?
You can check our debate topic generator or visit educational resources like UNICEF Nigeria Education and the British Council.
Conclusion
Debating is one of the most effective ways to build confidence, language skills, and critical thinking in children. With these 80 debate topics for primary schools in Nigeria, teachers can create fun and meaningful activities that inspire young minds to speak boldly and think deeply.
When pupils learn how to express their ideas clearly, they become leaders in the making. So, whether you are organizing a classroom contest or a school event, these debate topics for primary schools in Nigeria will help you bring out the best in every child.