A 14-year-old student of Ajegunle Secondary School, Osibamowo Mercy, has emerged as the winner of the 2024 edition of the Jendol Superstore annual debate competition.
According to the Guardian, Mercy’s victory earned her a N500,000 cash prize and a scholarship to any university of her choice.
The competition began with over 350 students from across Lagos State’s educational districts, eventually narrowing down to six finalists. The contestants debated the topic, “Students below 18 years should be restricted from using AI-powered technologies to prevent cybercrimes and foster critical thinking.”
Speaking on the competition, Jendol Group CEO, Mark Akabue, encouraged students, particularly those in public schools, to embrace AI as a tool for learning and to challenge stereotypes about government schools.