By LOVETH-AZODO CHIJIOKE, Lagos.
Prominent business executives, company chiefs, and entrepreneurs turned out in large numbers in Lagos for the annual Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA) President’s Dinner, using the evening to celebrate a smooth leadership handover and call for honest, value-driven governance across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The highlight of the gala evening was the formal celebration of the association’s leadership transition, honoring the incoming President and Managing Director/CEO of Neimeth Pharmaceuticals Plc, Pharm. Valentine Okelu, following his takeover in July from the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), Dr. Owen Omogiafo (OON).
Coming on the heels of an intensive day of policy sessions that attracted over 500 delegates to the business school, the dinner provided a relaxed, celebratory atmosphere designed to build genuine friendship among executives, spark business partnerships, and continue open conversations around the future of Nigerian enterprise.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee for the dinner, Miss Nkolika Okoli, explained that while the evening featured good food and music, its main purpose was to move big economic ideas out of stiff conference halls into relaxed, everyday conversations.
“Yesterday, we had conversations in a formal setting, and delegates did not have the time or opportunity to truly get to know each other, interact, and exchange cards,” Okoli said. “This dinner is a party, yes, but it is not just a party. It is a platform for networking, for people to meet one another, and to continue the conversation on excellent leadership in Nigeria in an informal setting.”
Okoli noted that this year’s conference recorded a massive turnout despite the distance to the Ajah campus, driven largely by the practical focus on artificial intelligence (AI), modern ways to raise business funds, and making companies run faster and leaner. While many people often worry about AI causing job losses, delegates explored how businesses can use the technology to cut costs, grow faster, and attract new investments.
Beyond the festivities, Okoli revealed that the ideas shared at the gathering will not end at the dinner table.
The business school is putting together a formal summary document from the conference to share with key government decision-makers including the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Lagos State Government as well as alumni in the private sector to put the ideas into action.
Delivering a clear message to entrepreneurs, parents, and company bosses ahead of Nigeria’s approaching 2027 election season, Okoli stressed that real national progress begins with personal and workplace honesty.
“Leadership is everything; everything begins and ends with good leadership,” she stated, pointing to lessons shared during the conference by Professor Pat Utomi on how leaders shape workplace habits and community values.
“With the election coming, it is so important that we all focus on choosing the right leaders not just at the national level for Nigeria as a country, but in our companies and in our homes. As parents, you are leaders, and what you do shapes how your children grow up. If we get leadership right at every level, the entire society moves forward,” Okoli added.
The celebration of the smooth handover between Omogiafo and Okelu, alongside the rich exchange of ideas, highlighted the alumni network’s resolve to pair strong moral values with smart business tools as Nigerian companies navigate a changing economy.
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