Platform College wins The Encounter 2026 AI debate in Lagos, taking home ₦500,000 as Ali Baba discusses AI’s impact on Africa’s creative economy

Platform College, Ayobo, Lagos, has emerged winner of the inter-school debate competition at The Encounter 2026 Symposium, taking home a ₦500,000 prize at the event focused on artificial intelligence and its impact on society.

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The symposium, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, brought together students, educators and industry professionals under the theme, “AI for Good: From Innovation to Impact”.

Convened by veteran broadcaster Seun Oyedeji, the event featured comedian and entrepreneur Ali Baba, who delivered a presentation on “AI and the Future of Africa’s Creative Economy”.

Ali Baba examined how artificial intelligence could reshape entertainment, content production and entrepreneurship, highlighting its implications for Africa’s growing creative industry.

Also speaking, the Director-General of Quality Assurance at the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Dr Sulaiman Olagoke Ogunmuyiwa, encouraged students and young Nigerians to embrace AI as a tool for learning, research and innovation.

He, however, urged them to remain alert to the risks of misinformation, online dangers and excessive dependence on the technology.

Oyedeji described the symposium as timely, noting that artificial intelligence had become an increasingly important part of everyday life, with far-reaching implications for education, communication and society.

She acknowledged its potential to support research, creativity and access to information but warned that irresponsible use could encourage misinformation and digital deception.

“Artificial intelligence is good. It has come to make life easier for us. It is a blessing, but it could become a curse if we are not intentional about how we deploy it,” she said.

The convener also raised concerns about children’s growing exposure to digital devices, including their ability to bypass parental controls.

She urged parents to monitor the platforms their children use, consider appropriate ages for introducing digital devices and encourage responsible online behaviour.

Oyedeji further warned that excessive reliance on AI could weaken originality, creativity and independent thinking, stressing that the technology should support human intelligence rather than replace it.

One of the participating students, Ezekiel David of Platform College, described artificial intelligence as more of a friend than an enemy.

He said the technology could help young people gain knowledge, keep pace with emerging trends and prepare for changes in the economy.

The debate, which focused on the motion, “AI: A Friend or Enemy of African Youths”, featured schools from different parts of Lagos.

Platform College secured first place with a score of 87.6 per cent, winning ₦500,000. Government Senior College, Agege, finished second with 79.5 per cent and received ₦300,000, while Mandate Private School came third with 75.5 per cent, earning ₦200,000.

Other participating schools included Pinefield Schools, Lekki; Sanya Secondary School, Surulere; and Giggles High School, Egbeda.

Oyedeji said the symposium was designed to help young people explore beneficial applications of artificial intelligence while resisting pressure to deploy the technology for harmful purposes.

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She expressed optimism that responsible adoption of AI would empower Nigerian youths to develop innovative solutions to challenges facing the country and the wider world.