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In a world where confidence often opens more doors than certificates, communication coach Gloria Babarinde is on a mission to help young Nigerians discover the power of their voice.
She has launched the Gloria Babarinde Public Speaking Prize, a speaking competition for secondary school students in Lagos, aimed at building confidence, clarity, and courage among young people.
“The inspiration came from my own journey. Learning to communicate confidently changed everything for me,” Babarinde said. “I’ve met so many brilliant young people with great ideas but who struggle to express them clearly. This prize was born to fix that — to help students find their voice, own it, and use it as a tool for impact.”
The competition will feature 30 secondary schools across Lagos, selected to include both mainstream and underserved schools. It’s a one-day speaking challenge with three thrilling rounds. All 30 schools compete in the first round, 15 move to the next, and seven finalists go head-to-head until the top three winners emerge.
But this isn’t just about who speaks the best English. “We’re looking for clarity, originality, confidence and connection,” Babarinde explained. “It’s not about perfection, it’s about authenticity. Public speaking isn’t about sounding polished; it’s about sounding real.”
Winners will walk away with cash prizes, books, plaques, and certificates, as well as access to mentorship sessions with some of Nigeria’s most respected communication experts, including Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede, Oscar Oyinsan, Olusola Olaleye, Damola Adegboye, Riyah Abdul, Isabella Adediji, Mojibade Sosanya, and Joseph Onaolapo.
“Beyond the prizes, what participants really gain is exposure,” she said. “They’ll learn how to stand tall, think clearly, and speak with courage, anywhere, anytime.”
For Babarinde, the project is personal. She recalls one defining moment early in her career while hosting an event. “The audience seemed disengaged, and I could feel the silence,” she shared. “I dropped my script and told a story about how nervous I was the first time I ever spoke publicly. My hands were shaking. Then someone told me, ‘Your voice isn’t for perfection, it’s for connection.’ The whole room came alive again. That day I learnt that authenticity is more powerful than performance.”
She hopes the initiative will help students overcome fear of judgment, grammar, or accent and learn to express themselves freely. “Many young people stay quiet because they’re scared of being corrected or laughed at. This platform gives them a safe space to speak, make mistakes, and grow,” she said.
Looking ahead, Babarinde envisions expanding the competition beyond Lagos. “Without a doubt, this is just the beginning,” she said with a smile. “I see this becoming a national and even African-wide movement, one that discovers, trains, and celebrates young communicators. Because confident voices build confident nations.”
“My vision is to raise a new generation of young Africans who speak with clarity, lead with confidence, and inspire with conviction,” she concludes.
