UNILAG Students Harness Communication Skills Through Literary Competition

By Faidat Azeez and Mary Omowo

A literary competition organised by students of the Department of Linguistics, African and Asian Studies (LAAS), University of Lagos (UNILAG), is providing undergraduates with a platform to develop communication skills, including public speaking, debating, writing and leadership.

The event themed “Speakers Are Leaders” was organized on June 15, 2026, at the Faculty of Arts, UNILAG.

The pioneer of the initiative, Adetayo Adeleke noted that the platform was established to encourage students to express themselves and develop leadership qualities through public speaking and other literary activities.

“True leadership is not about creating followers but successors,” he said.

Adeleke said he hopes the initiative would leave behind, a culture of structured communication and self expression among students.

“If years from now students are still finding their voices, building confidence, and harnessing opportunities through this platform, then I would consider the vision successful,” he said.

The Faculty of Arts Students’ Association (FASA) Debate Society Coach, Tobiloba Komolafe noted that public speaking extends far beyond standing before an audience.

“Communication is about conveying ideas clearly, persuading people and influencing decisions,” he said.

According to him, effective communication can be both a natural ability and a skill developed through practice and experience.

Komolafe noted that public speaking is useful across different professions, including education, advertising, and technology, where communication and persuasion play important roles.

“These skills are useful not only in competitions but also in everyday conversations, workplaces and leadership positions.

According to the organizers, the competition was established as an extension of the LAAS Speech Squad, a student community founded in 2024 to nurture talents in literary and communication-related activities.

They believe students who learn how to articulate their thoughts effectively gain an advantage in virtually every profession.