Word-Wise Bilingual Debate Competition
Nigeria's pioneering bilingual debate programme — built for television, designed for confidence.
About WWBDC
The Word-Wise Bilingual Debate Competition (WWBDC) is Africa's first bilingual debate competition to air on national television. Broadcasting on AIT, WWBDC brings together the brightest young minds from schools across Nigeria to debate critical topics in both English and French.
- Broadcast: AIT
- Eligibility: Upper Primary — University
- Teams: 2 debaters per school
- Languages: English & French
- Prizes: Trophies, scholarships, cash prizes
The Word-Wise Bilingual Debate Competition
Nigeria's pioneering bilingual debate programme — built for television, designed for confidence. WWBDC brings students from across the country onto a national stage to debate critical topics in both English and French, airing on Africa Independent Television (AIT).
Three rounds. Two languages. One champion.
Opening Statements
Each team presents their case in both English and French. This round tests research depth, argument structure, and delivery. Teams have 5 minutes to make their opening arguments.
Crossfire Round
The heart of WWBDC — rapid-fire rebuttals in French. Teams must think on their feet, responding to opposing arguments with clarity and conviction under time pressure.
Closing Rebuttal
The final word. Teams synthesize their arguments and deliver a persuasive closing statement that can switch between English and French, showcasing full bilingual mastery.
Three paths to the national stage
Ages 9–11
Introduction to structured debate. Focus on building confidence, basic argumentation, and public speaking fundamentals.
JSS 1 — SSS 3
Intermediate debate with emphasis on research skills, bilingual delivery, and structured argumentation across both languages.
Tertiary institutions
The highest level of the competition — an advanced debate format airing on national television, requiring mastery of both English and French.
How debates are scored
Content & Argument
Quality of research, logical structure, and persuasiveness of arguments presented. 30 points
Language Proficiency
Fluency, vocabulary, and grammatical accuracy in both English and French. 25 points
Delivery & Style
Clarity, confidence, body language, and engagement with the audience. 25 points
Teamwork & Rebuttal
Collaboration between teammates and effectiveness of crossfire responses. 20 points