TYO National Competition Promotes Oratory, Critical Thinking Skills
The TYO 2026 National Competition concluded with an impressive showcase of oratory, critical thinking, and a compelling demonstration of the skills developed by participants during a four-day intensive boot camp.
The programme commenced on Monday, April 27, with semifinals held on April 29 and the finals on April 30, 2026.
The final event was marked by an emotional moment as the winner was announced to an enthusiastic reception from the audience. Participants were evaluated on key competencies including reasoning, content, structure, audibility, and audience engagement. The competition stood as a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when young minds are given the opportunity and space for intentional development.
TYO is a communications platform and an expression of the Peat Philips Foundation, committed to instilling leadership, communication, and public speaking skills in young people. The initiative focuses on building strong character and empowering participants to embody the change they seek, not only through words but through aligned actions.
The boot camp incorporated multiple dimensions of learning, including structure, intent, goal-setting, character development, reasoning and effective audience engagement. These components provided participants with the opportunity to refine their speaking abilities while unlearning habits that no longer serve their growth. The experience also fostered peer learning, as participants engaged closely with other qualified individuals within the programme.
Beyond the competition, TYO serves as a broader platform dedicated to developing young people into confident communicators and ambassadors of their communities and country. The competition itself is one of several initiatives aimed at preparing a Nigerian representative for the International Public Speaking Competition scheduled to take place in the United Kingdom in July this year.
Looking ahead, preparations are already underway for the 2027 edition of the TYO Boot Camp. The organisers express hope for continued and increased support from sponsors and partners to sustain and expand the programme. This support is essential to reaching more young people and strengthening a critical area of development, not only for Nigeria but for the African continent at large.
