Preparations are underway for the maiden edition of Tranquil’s Public Speaking Prize (TPSP 2026), an initiative of Tranquil Creatives Limited, as secondary school students from across Kwara State prepare to showcase their oratory skills, confidence and leadership potential at the grand finale of the competition scheduled for Thursday, 19 November 2026, in Ilorin, the state capital.
The competition, themed “Voices for the Future,” will hold at the Main Hall of the Ilorin Innovation Hub, 9A Ahmadu Bello Way, and is expected to attract students, education stakeholders, public figures, communication professionals and other distinguished guests.
The event aims to celebrate young talents while promoting effective communication, critical thinking and leadership among secondary school students.
Convened by Mrs Sakeenah Jatto-Oyewole, a communication professional and English educator, TPSP 2026 seeks to provide a platform for young people to express their ideas, develop confidence in public speaking and use their voices to advocate positive change in their schools and communities.
A major highlight of the inaugural edition will be the competition for the ₦500,000 grand prize, with the first and second runners-up also set to receive recognition for their performances.
According to the organisers, 50 contestants have emerged from an online audition process and will compete through three successive rounds at the grand finale.
The rounds are designed to assess their persuasive abilities, problem-solving skills, critical thinking and capacity to communicate compelling ideas on issues affecting society.
The first round, titled “The Power of Persuasion,” will require each contestant to present a convincing argument in support of an idea within one minute. At the end of the round, 15 contestants will be selected to advance to the semi-final.
The semi-final, tagged “The Power of Solutions,” will feature the 15 qualifiers from the first round delivering three-minute PowerPoint presentations on practical solutions to challenges confronting their schools or communities.
Following feedback from the judging panel, only five contestants will proceed to the final round.
The final, titled “Dear Mr Governor,” will challenge the five finalists to deliver a two-minute appeal for positive change, after which they will respond to questions from the judges.
Their performances will determine the overall winner, first runner-up and second runner-up.
The competition will be assessed by a distinguished panel comprising university don Dr Foluke Aliyyu, who will serve as Chief Judge; alongside a communication strategist, Mr Sanni Alausa-Issa; a seasoned broadcaster, Mrs Bisola Oduwole-Suleiman; and Dr Rasheed Ajao, a Senior Education Officer with the Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development.
The event is also expected to host prominent personalities from government, education, media and other sectors.
Among the special guests are Hon. Ibraheem Abdullateef, Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Communications; Dr Mahmud Abdulraheem, Esq., Chief Promoter of GerinFM 95.5; Mal. Rafiu Ajakaye, PhD; Dr Oba Abdulkadir La’aro; and Mrs Ajide Victoria Omowumi.
Other distinguished guests and supporters expected at the occasion include Mal. Abdur-Rahman Adebayo Aderinoye, popularly known as ARA Aderinoye, and Engr. Taofik Abdulkareem of Plat Technologies Limited, both of whom are recognised as gold sponsors and special guests.
Adding an artistic touch to the occasion, spoken-word performer Saliu Ahmad, popularly known as Penwarlord, is scheduled to deliver a special guest performance.
Beyond the competition and the monetary reward, TPSP 2026 seeks to promote communication, critical thinking, self-expression and youth participation in societal development.
Its guiding philosophy, Express, Develop, Lead, reflects the organisers’ vision of nurturing young people who can articulate their ideas confidently, engage constructively with their communities and contribute meaningfully to the future.
The event is supported by gold sponsors Mal. Abdur-Rahman Adebayo Aderinoye (ARA Aderinoye), Plat Technologies, Jatto Solutions Inc. and Jatto Hafiz. The Kwara State Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development is the educational partner, while Factual Naija News, The Media Sis, Kraftmann Designs, Highlander Multimedia and SAB Shot It are among the media partners.
Other supporting partners include Ilorin Innovation Hub, Mariamella Consult Ltd, House 12 Workspaces & Lifestyle, Deejah Skincare and Aesthetics, Noor & Thrive, Raising Muslim Girls and Barakah Edibles.
Activities are expected to commence at 8:30 a.m. with registration and a red-carpet reception, providing an opportunity for guests and participants to interact ahead of the main event, which is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m.
Attendance is free, and members of the public, particularly parents, educators, students and other stakeholders interested in youth development, are encouraged to attend and support the young contestants.
Interested attendees can register via https://luma.com/3nrxc5t9.
As the countdown to 19 November gathers momentum, attention will turn to the young contestants whose ideas, confidence and ability to inspire could distinguish them as the next generation of influential voices in Kwara State.
While only one contestant will emerge with the ₦500,000 grand prize, the competition offers all participants a valuable opportunity to develop their communication skills, build confidence and demonstrate the power of young voices in shaping the future.
