What better way to face your fear than to just do it? (Well, this doesn’t apply to all fears 😂).
I’ve always loved writing. Give me a beautifully written piece - poems, fiction, articles, you name it - and I’m sold. There’s just something magical about well-crafted words and the way punctuation brings rhythm to a story. But while I’ve always been in love with writing, I’ve never had the same ease with speaking. Public speaking? Yeah… not my strongest suit. I admire those who wield the mic with confidence, but for me, it’s always been accompanied by nerves and sweaty palms.
I still remember my internship at the Unilag Design Studio, where weekly presentations were the dread of my week. Sure, I got encouragement and even improved a little, but the fear never really went away.
My First Leap
Recently, something unexpected happened: I was invited to host my faculty’s Career Day. Till today, I can’t fathom how and why I was invited for the role. My default response would’ve been a quick “no, thank you”, but this time, I decided to give myself a chance. So I said yes.
In the days leading up to the event, the thought of backing out popped into my mind more times than I can count. But somehow, I kept convincing myself to go ahead. Luckily, I wasn’t alone. I got to co-host with an amazing person, Victor Aifediyi.
A little backstory: Victor and I had worked together before, most memorably when we co-led the content team for PAADC, a student-led organization. From him, I learned a lot about leading with empathy, and his creativity continues to inspire me. Co-hosting with him was nothing short of wonderful; the sync was natural, the energy was contagious, and before I knew it, I had eased into the role. The best part? After the event, people walked up to me asking if I hosted events regularly. That was the validation I didn’t even know I needed.
Round Two: The SEES Conference
It didn’t stop there. Not long after, my department president, Sunmisola Ganikale, invited me to host the maiden edition of our conference. This time, I didn’t hesitate; I jumped right in.
And again, I was blessed with another amazing co-host: Damilare Aribisala. Dami and I have been close friends for three years and counting. He’s one of Nigeria’s top copywriters, and speaking at events is second nature to him. (So basically, I was co-hosting with a pro).
Even though our vibes are different, the synergy was splendid. Sunmi had one request: that the conference remained student-focused. And from the testimonials that came in afterwards, I dare say we pulled it off.
What I’ve Learned
So here I am - someone who once dreaded public speaking - hosting two major events in a single month.
Do I still get nervous when standing before an audience? Absolutely.
Do I sometimes wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole when all eyes are on me? Yes.
But here’s the twist: I’m still saying yes to more hosting gigs. And I’m choosing to believe that I’ll only get better with each one.
Because here’s the truth - fear doesn’t just vanish. You don’t wait it out. You do it scared, and with time, it loses its grip.
So if you’re hesitating about starting something new - taking a role, building a project, or stepping on stage, this is your sign.
Feel the fear. Do it anyways.
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