How To Improve Your Public Speaking Skills As A Nigerian Student

In this article, I want to show you how to improve your public speaking skills as a Nigerian student.

As a student, one of the most important skills you should develop is public speaking skills.

Imagine having to stand in the midst of 2,000 people and give a speech or presentation.

Oftentimes, we neglect public speaking because we feel it’s not important.

But that’s not true!

Public speaking is very important in today’s world. It is one of the few skills every leader or aspiring leader should possess.

You should be able to express yourself in the midst of people without feeling shy or nervous.

Most times, we are not born with these public speaking skills.

However, the good thing is that they can be developed with time and continuous practice.

I could remember during my university days, I couldn’t even stand in front of my classmates to give a speech.

It’s either am insecure about my dress or am scared of what people might say about me

It grew so bad to the point that even standing up and answering questions in class was a big problem for me.

This was how bad it was!

Naturally, am an introvert and I love staying on my own and doing my things alone.

Maybe that was why I was that shy.

But over the years, I told myself that I have to stop this habit because it was really harming my self-esteem.

So I started reading books and taking some intentional steps to improve my public speaking skills and today, I can stand in the midst of 10,000 people and speak for hours without shaking.

It is not rocket science my dear, it’s all about having the determination and passion to work on yourself to get the results you want.

Over the years, I have spoken in many conferences and seminars and I have gathered a lot of experience when it comes to public speaking.

So today, I want to show you pro tips that can help you improve your public speaking skills as a Nigerian student.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

Also Read: How to Improve Your Writing Skills as a Nigerian Student

Table of Contents

How to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills as a Nigerian Student

Here are 10 pro tips that can help you improve your public speaking skills as a Nigerian student:

1. Prepare and Practice

Preparing and practicing are essential for improving your public speaking skills.

Here’s how they help:

Enhancing Content: Prepare by researching and organizing your thoughts. Use relevant examples and cultural references.
Structuring Your Speech: Create a clear introduction, main points, and conclusion for an organized speech.
Building Confidence: Practice boosts confidence, making you more engaging and effective.
Refining Delivery: Practice voice modulation, gestures, and body language for a polished delivery.
Time Management: Practice helps you manage time effectively and respect your audience’s time.
Handling Nervousness: Preparation reduces nerves, allowing you to speak more comfortably.
Adapting to Feedback: Seek feedback and make adjustments to improve your speech.

By preparing and practicing, you improve content, build confidence, refine delivery, manage time, handle nerves, and grow as a speaker.

2. Know Your Audience

Understanding your audience is vital for improving your public speaking skills.

Here’s why it matters and how it helps:

Tailor Your Message: Customize your speech to meet the needs and interests of your audience.
Engage Your Audience: Use relevant examples and references to connect with your listeners.
Adapt Communication Style: Choose appropriate language and style based on your audience’s understanding.
Respect Cultural Sensitivities: Be aware of cultural differences and avoid offensive topics or language.
Adjust Delivery Techniques: Adapt your delivery to suit the preferences of your audience.
Anticipate Questions and Concerns: Address potential queries or objections in your speech.
Interpret Feedback: Observe audience reactions and adjust your delivery accordingly.

By understanding your audience, you can deliver speeches that resonate and improve your public speaking skills.

3. Work on Body Language

Improving your body language is crucial for enhancing your public speaking skills.

Here’s how it can help:

Confidence: Maintain an upright posture and make eye contact to project confidence and credibility.
Connection: Establish rapport by engaging with your audience through eye contact and non-verbal gestures.
Gestures: Use purposeful hand movements to emphasize key points and enhance understanding.
Facial Expressions: Display appropriate emotions through facial expressions to enhance the impact of your speech.
Movement and Positioning: Move intentionally on stage to maintain attention, and ensure your whole body is visible to the audience.
Vocal and Physical Energy: Let your body language reflect your energy and passion, reinforcing your message.
Practice and Feedback: Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, and seek feedback to refine your body language.

By focusing on your body language, you can effectively connect with your audience and deliver a confident and impactful speech.

4. Control Your Voice

Controlling your voice is essential for improving your public speaking skills.

Here’s why it matters and how it helps:

Clear Communication: Control your voice to ensure clear and understandable speech.
Vocal Variety: Vary tone, volume, and pace to keep the audience engaged and convey emotions.
Confidence and Authority: A controlled voice shows confidence and commands attention.
Pause and Intonation: Use pauses and intonation to add meaning and emphasize important points.
Articulation and Diction: Focus on clear and precise pronunciation for better understanding.
Volume Control: Adjust volume to suit the room and ensure everyone can hear without strain.
Practice and Feedback: Practice in various settings and seek feedback to improve vocal control.

By mastering voice control, you can communicate effectively, engage the audience, and enhance your public speaking skills.

5. Use Visual Aids

Using visual aids is a valuable way to improve your public speaking skills.

Here’s how it helps:

Clarity: Visual aids clarify complex information for better understanding.
Engagement: Visual aids capture and maintain audience attention.
Support: They reinforce key points and make them memorable.
Variety: Visual aids add diversity and enhance the overall impact of your speech.
Retention: They increase information recall and retention.
Professionalism: Using visual aids demonstrates preparedness and professionalism.
Practice: Practice integrating visual aids seamlessly into your speech.

By incorporating visual aids effectively, you can engage your audience, clarify information, and enhance your public speaking skills.

6. Start with a Strong Opening

Starting with a strong opening is key to improving your public speaking skills.

Here’s why it matters:

Capture Attention: Grab the audience’s attention with a thought-provoking question, surprising fact, or relevant anecdote.
Establish Credibility: Share qualifications or experiences to build trust and credibility.
Set the Tone: Create an atmosphere of anticipation and excitement.
Outline the Purpose: Clearly state the main objective of your speech.
Connect with the Audience: Show understanding of their concerns or shared experiences.
Create Anticipation: Tease valuable insights to keep the audience engaged.
Practice Delivery: Rehearse to confidently deliver a memorable opening.

By starting strong, you can engage your audience and deliver a successful speech.

Also See: What Causes Failure in WAEC in Nigeria? (Top 20 Reasons)

7. Engage the Audience

Engaging the audience is crucial for improving your public speaking skills.

Here’s how it helps:

Active Participation: Involve the audience through questions and interactive activities.
Relatable Examples: Use examples that resonate with your audience to make your speech relevant.
Eye Contact: Maintain eye contact to establish a personal connection.
Vocal Variation: Vary your voice to keep the audience interested.
Gestures and Body Language: Use appropriate gestures and body language to enhance your message.
Visual Aids: Incorporate relevant visual aids to capture attention and facilitate understanding.
Storytelling: Share compelling stories that evoke emotions and create a connection.
Adapt to Feedback: Adjust your delivery based on audience reactions.
Use Humor: Incorporate appropriate humor to create a positive atmosphere.
Active Listening: Respond to audience comments and questions to show engagement.

By engaging the audience actively, you can improve your public speaking skills and create a memorable speech.

8. Practice Active Listening

Practicing active listening can help improve your public speaking skills.

Here’s why it’s important:

Understand audience needs: Pay attention to their responses and non-verbal cues.
Adjust delivery: Adapt your pace, tone, and content based on audience engagement.
Build rapport: Show respect and value their input to create a connection.
Address questions: Respond thoughtfully to audience queries and concerns.
Improve communication: Enhance your listening skills for clearer articulation.
Encourage engagement: Active listening promotes audience participation.
Adapt to diversity: Understand cultural nuances to tailor your speech accordingly.
Continuous improvement: Learn from audience feedback to refine your skills.

By actively listening, you can connect with your audience, improve communication, and enhance your public speaking skills.

9. Seek Feedback

Seeking feedback is essential for improving your public speaking skills.

Here’s why it’s important:

Objective Evaluation: Get an unbiased assessment of your strengths and areas to improve.
Identify Blind Spots: Discover aspects of your speaking style that you may not notice.
Enhance Self-Awareness: Gain insight into your communication patterns and habits.
Refine Content and Structure: Improve your speech by evaluating its clarity and relevance.
Delivery and Presence: Evaluate your delivery style, gestures, and confidence.
Audience Perspective: Understand how your message resonated with the audience.
Constructive Growth: Embrace feedback as an opportunity for personal and skill development.
Mentoring and Guidance: Seek guidance from experienced speakers or mentors.

By seeking feedback, you can gain valuable insights and continuously improve your public speaking skills.

10. Join a Public Speaking Group

Joining a public speaking group is a great way to improve your public speaking skills.

Here’s why it helps:

Practice: Get regular opportunities to practice speaking in a supportive environment.
Feedback: Receive constructive feedback to enhance your delivery and technique.
Learn from others: Observe and learn from diverse speakers in the group.
Networking: Connect with mentors, experienced speakers, and like-minded individuals.
Build confidence: Overcome stage fright and gain confidence through regular speaking.
Develop communication skills: Improve listening, impromptu speaking, and critical thinking.
Access to resources: Benefit from books, online materials, and training videos.
Leadership opportunities: Take on leadership roles and develop your skills.

By joining a public speaking group, you can practice, receive feedback, learn from others, network, build confidence, develop communication skills, access resources, and find leadership opportunities to improve as a student speaker.

Why Are Public Speaking Skills Very Important in Today’s World?

Public speaking skills are incredibly important in today’s world, and let me tell you why:

1. Express Yourself Clearly

Imagine being able to share your ideas and thoughts confidently with anyone, anytime.

That’s what public speaking skills allow you to do!

Whether you’re talking to colleagues, classmates, or even friends, being able to communicate effectively helps you express yourself clearly and avoid any misunderstandings.

2. Supercharge Your Career

Want to climb the ladder of success in your professional life?

Well, public speaking skills can be your secret weapon!

Employers love people who can present their ideas with confidence, lead meetings like a boss, and impress clients with their persuasive skills.

So, if you want those promotions and exciting opportunities, mastering public speaking is a must!

3. Get Your Point Across

Ever had a brilliant idea but struggled to convince others about its worth?

Public speaking skills can turn the tables!

When you can speak eloquently and present your arguments persuasively, you become a master of influence.

You can rally people behind your cause, win over skeptics, and make a real impact in your community.

4. Build Bridges with Your Words

Good communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about connecting.

Public speaking helps you build meaningful relationships by connecting on a deeper level with others.

When you can express yourself confidently and engage your audience, you create trust, understanding, and a sense of camaraderie.

So, get ready to make lifelong connections!

5. Crush Your Fears and Boost Your Confidence

Public speaking can be scary, but overcoming that fear is incredibly empowering.

As you conquer your nerves and confidently address an audience, you’ll witness a remarkable transformation within yourself.

You’ll develop unshakable self-confidence that extends far beyond the stage, making you more assertive and self-assured in every aspect of life.

6. Share Knowledge, Inspire Others

Have a passion for teaching and sharing knowledge?

Public speaking is your ticket to enlightening others!

Whether it’s delivering educational talks, leading workshops, or speaking at conferences, you can inspire and educate people with your expertise.

Get ready to become a beacon of knowledge and a source of inspiration!

7. Grow Personally and Intellectually

Public speaking isn’t just about talking—it’s about listening too.

When you speak publicly, you learn to understand your audience, adapt your message, and engage with their reactions.

It’s a journey of personal growth that hones your critical thinking, organization skills, and ability to connect with others.

8. Be a Changemaker

In today’s world, speaking up for what you believe in is crucial.

Public speaking gives you a powerful platform to advocate for causes you care about.

Whether it’s fighting for social justice, promoting equality, or addressing important issues, your words can create a ripple effect of positive change.

Be the voice that inspires action!

Also Read: 10 Steps for Writing WAEC Informal Letter

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Can Students Develop Public Speaking Skills?

Start by taking center stage and practicing regularly.

Engage in debates, and presentations, or join a public speaking club.

Cook up a well-structured speech, focusing on clarity and logical flow.

Don’t forget the seasoning of feedback!

Seek advice from teachers, peers, or mentors to sprinkle improvements into your performance.

Spice it up by studying successful speakers and borrowing their techniques.

Finally, add a touch of calmness by practicing deep breathing and visualization to melt away nerves.

How Do I Become a Public Speaker in Nigeria?

First, sharpen your speaking skills through practice and training.

Embrace opportunities to shine at local events, conferences, or seminars.

Join vibrant public speaking clubs for growth and networking magic.

Become an expert by diving deep into relevant topics and staying ahead of the game.

Flaunt your talent on social media platforms, captivating a wider audience.

Connect with established speakers or mentors who will be your secret sauce.

How Do I Get Over My Fear of Public Speaking?

Are you wondering how to get over your fear of public speaking?

First, acknowledge your fear and know that it’s completely normal.

Embrace it like a brave warrior!

Prepare like a pro by knowing your stuff inside out.

Practice, practice, practice!

Start small by speaking in front of friends or family, gradually leveling up to larger audiences.

Take deep breaths and visualize success to tame those butterflies.

Embrace mistakes as valuable learning moments.

Remember, confidence grows with every step you take.

So gear up, face your fear head-on, and unleash your inner superstar!

How Do I Become a Public Speaker With No Experience?

First, quench your thirst for knowledge by diving into books, online resources, and courses on public speaking.

Then, unleash your courage by volunteering to speak at local events or joining vibrant groups like Toastmasters.

Embrace feedback like a superhero embraces their superpowers, using it to improve.

Show off your skills on social media, attracting an army of admirers.

Connect with seasoned speakers who can be your guiding stars.

Remember, persistence and self-belief are your secret weapons.

Why Am I So Nervous When Public Speaking?

Public speaking can make you nervous for a few reasons.

One is the fear of being judged by others, which makes you feel self-conscious and anxious.

You also worry about making mistakes or forgetting what to say, which adds to your nervousness.

Not feeling confident in your speaking abilities and the pressure to do well make you even more anxious.

Thinking about negative outcomes and being the center of attention also make your body react with increased heart rate and sweaty palms.

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Conclusion

Public speaking skills are important skills every Nigerian student should possess.

As a student, you should be able to express yourself in the midst of people without feeling nervous or shy.

Some people ignore public speaking because they don’t know the value but trust me, these skills are very essential in today’s world!

In this blog post, I have shown you how to improve your public speaking skills as a Nigerian student.

By following the tips I have shared with you in this article, you are well on your way to becoming a professional public speaker.

And who knows, you may even build a career in public speaking from there.

If you have any questions or inquiries, kindly drop them in the comment section and I will respond as soon as possible.

Good luck!

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