By Rukayat Moisemhe

The Lagos Business School Alumni Association (LBSAA) says it will develop actionable policy recommendations to support Nigeria’s economic growth through leadership, capital mobilisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven innovation.

President of LBSAA, Valentine Okelu, said this at a news conference on Monday in Lagos ahead of the association’s 2026 Alumni Homecoming Weekend scheduled for Nov. 12 and Nov. 13.

Okelu, who is also the Managing Director of Neimeth Pharmaceuticals Plc, said the annual gathering would bring together business leaders, policymakers, academics and other stakeholders to examine critical issues affecting the economy.

He said the conference would leverage the experience and expertise of members across different sectors to generate ideas capable of influencing economic policies and national development.

According to him, the association intends to use the platform to bring together influential stakeholders, including non-alumni, to deliberate on issues and develop principles that could improve the way the country is governed.

He described the Alumni Day conference as the intellectual component of the homecoming, while the President’s Dinner would provide an opportunity for networking and engagement among members.

Okelu said the association, which had operated for 35 years, had more than 11,000 members across the public and private sectors, including industry leaders and policymakers.

Mr Michael Ekeagbara, President, Host Class OMP40, LBSAA, said this year’s conference theme, “Driving Nigeria’s Economic Transformation through Leadership, Capital and AI-Driven Innovation”, was designed to address practical issues surrounding the country’s economic transformation.

Ekeagbara said the ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy required more than discussions, stressing the need for concrete actions and policy inputs.

“There is no growth without leadership. Leadership is there to build vision and guide execution as we work together towards growing Nigeria’s economy.

“Capital is very crucial. We need capital to fuel whatever policies and economic growth we are planning as a country. And, of course, AI,” he said.

He said AI should be viewed as an opportunity to improve productivity and efficiency rather than a threat to human capacity.

According to him, the conference will feature keynote addresses, fireside chats and panel discussions involving experts across the three thematic areas.

Ekeagbara said the objective was to produce actionable documents that could contribute to policymaking and Nigeria’s economic advancement.

Mr Wole Abu, Vice-President of LBSAA, said the conference would adopt a collaborative approach involving the private sector, government policymakers and international partners.

Abu said economic development required more than government policies, adding that businesses must also be supported to thrive, expand, create employment and contribute to national output.

He said the association would provide both physical and virtual participation opportunities to accommodate its growing international membership.
On the social component of the homecoming,

Mrs Nkoli Okoli, Chairperson of the President’s Dinner Organising Committee, said the dinner would provide an avenue for business networking, intergenerational engagement and mentorship.

Okoli said the gathering would bring together retired leaders, serving professionals and young alumni to exchange experiences and strengthen professional relationships.

She said the dinner’s theme, “Leadership and Resilience in the New Frontier”, would complement the discussions at the conference.

Mr Henry Andoh, Director of Alumni Relations at Lagos Business School, said the association had expanded its membership network with chapters in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada, as well as across Nigeria’s geopolitical regions.

Andoh said more than 400 new alumni members were expected to join the association by December.

The Alumni Day conference will hold at the Lagos Business School’s Lekki campus on Nov. 12, while the President’s Dinner is scheduled for Nov. 13 at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The dinner will also feature the inauguration of the association’s incoming executive officers. (NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran