Business executives seek shift in corporate leadership

Caption: L-R: Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Makunu Oil & Allied Products, Emmanuel Edekunu; Founder/Group Managing Partner, Homework Group, Jide Adekola; co-founder, EM-Consult, Earthmedia Communications, EM-care Academy and the pioneer Director MIIP, the convener ABLEC; Dr Princess Davidson; and Davidson Salomi, MD of Multiversal Energy and Petroleum Resources Ltd and the Chairman/CEO of Saldem Services Limited at the recently held conference… Photo credit: ABLEC

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Some African business leaders have called for a shift in corporate leadership to drive the continent’s sustainable economic transformation and made a case for a move from resource extraction to leadership development.  This call was made at the Africa Business Leaders and Executives Conference 2025, held recently in Lagos.

In her opening address, the founder and convener of ABLEC 2025, Dr. Princess Davidson, emphasised that a new breed of executives is the continent’s most essential catalyst for change.

“Africa’s transformation begins with empowered leadership, leaders who are visionary, ethical and courageous enough to think beyond borders,” Davidson said.

She anchored this leadership philosophy to the conference’s core strategic theme, “Igniting Strategic Partnerships for Africa’s Business Future.”

This year’s theme, she explained, focuses on cultivating businesses that are built in Africa, led from Africa and designed to expand beyond the continent’s borders, saying, “It is a call to action for African leaders to rise, collaborate and create systems that drive inclusive growth.”

She added that the continent was ready to innovate, ready to transform and ready to shape global markets with authenticity and purpose but insisted that African industries and entrepreneurs must now approach business with global standards and continental confidence.

In his keynote speech, the Group Managing Partner of Homework Group, Jide Awokola, issued a direct challenge to Africa’s corporate leaders.

Speaking on ‘Legacy Thinking: Building Institutions Beyond You’, he argued that true leadership is measured not by a founder’s personal prominence, but by the commitment to building transparent, sustainable institutions that endure and create shared value long after their founders are gone.

“If your organisation dies when you leave, then you never built an institution; you only built influence,” Awokola said.

He urged African business leaders to prioritise three critical pillars: robust governance systems, deliberate succession planning and long-term strategic partnerships, describing them as non-negotiable foundations for strengthening Africa’s economic resilience and ensuring institutional longevity.

The accompanying awards ceremony, honouring leaders in consulting, media, security and healthcare, was presented as evidence of this model in practice, spotlighting individuals who blend profit with purpose.

Lifetime Achievement Awards went to Lateef Jimoh of Lightland Media Concept for sustained impact in media and to Prof. Sandra Obioha for groundbreaking work in integrative medicine. The Young Entrepreneur Award was received by Anita Nzekwe of the Hope Bridge Initiative. The Outstanding Community Impact Award was presented to Amb. Dr. Roy Okhidievbie of August Eye Security Services, and the Emerging Business Award went to Elias Akwa of Akots Resources.

Oluwakemi is a Senior Correspondent with The PUNCH. She has over 10 years experience across digital and traditional journalism spheres, and currently covers the Capital Market.

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