In an inspiring two-day showcase of intellectual capital and national purpose, the National Leadership Conference (NLC 2025) convened at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja on September 5th and 6th, 2025. This historic gathering was a definitive platform where Nigeria’s architects of institutions met to live the tagline: “Transforming Minds. Inspiring Results.” Their collective presence was undeniable evidence of a commitment to elevating standards and shaping a resilient national leadership capital.
Setting the Stage for Transformation
NLC 2025 was a convocation of transformational leaders committed to:
- Breaking mental limits and self-imposed barriers; Redefining leadership identity – moving from mere function or title to intention, purpose, and legacy.
- Building resilient, high-performing teams and organizations capable of measurable impact.
The tagline “Transforming Minds. Inspiring Results” was a lived experience over those two days.
A Symphony of Expertise: The Powerhouse Lineup
The deliberate curation of this speaker list ensures that every facet of national and global leadership challenges was addressed, providing a 360-degree view of the theme.
1. The Apex of Governance and National Discourse
These speakers anchor the conference in the realities of national policy, security, and the democratic process.
- H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo (Former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria): His voice remains resonant and indispensable in national leadership discourse. His participation guarantees an unvarnished, deep dive into the historical and future trajectory of Nigerian leadership, drawing on his unique experience at the helm of the nation. He focused on the appreciation and application of ideas.
- Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim (Honourable Minister of Women Affairs for Nigeria): As a key policymaker, her contribution ensures the issues of gender leadership, youth inclusion, and social development are at the forefront of the conversation, aligning leadership with social equity. She showed delegates the ropes on cultivating habits that cause big results.
- Maj. Gen. Garba Ayodeji Wahab (Director General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC)): His expertise provides a perspective on strategic security, national resilience, and the structured leadership required in complex environments. This brings a much-needed strategic and organizational dimension to the deliberations.
- Hon. Justice Mabel Segun-Bello (Federal High Court Judge, Enugu Judicial Division): Her presence introduces the perspective of judicial integrity, rule of law, and institutional governance, a core pillar for sustainable results in national progress.
- Hon. Dr. Mrs Ginika Florence Tor (Federal Commissioner, Federal Character Commission): She brings expertise on the fundamental issue of inclusivity, fair representation, and managing Nigeria’s diversity and turning obstacles into opportunity.
2. Global Vision and Pan-African Thought
These speakers connect Nigeria’s leadership challenge to continental and international standards, demanding accountability and foresight.
- Prof. Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba (Prominent Kenyan legal practitioner, professor of law, and pan-Africanist): He is the scholar-leader who challenges conventional narratives and passionately urges audiences toward principled, accountable leadership for the continent’s emancipation. His eloquence and intellectual rigour are unparalleled. He dissected Africa’s path to institutional excellence.
- Ms. Elsie Attafuah (UNDP Resident Representative for Nigeria): Her role as a global development leader grounds the conference in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on building resilient systems and inclusive economic growth. Her perspective bridges local policy with global development benchmarks. Her Keynote speech on Transforming Minds, Inspiring Result was absolutely rich, her empathy in conversing and her indepth wealth of relativity from the lens of ‘Africa and the Globe’, was a solid foundation to kick open the conversation from the first day.
- Ambassador Gautier Mignot (Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS): His partnership with the NLC anchors the dialogue in international diplomacy and European Union values – highlighting the importance of governance, trade, and multilateral cooperation for Nigeria’s economic future. He brought to limelight the collaborative system of the EU with the Nigerian government, and shared topnotched opportunities open to Nigerians in investing in intellectual and leadership capacities. His exposition was a highlight, as the delegates could not be more appreciative of the valuable opportunities being engineered by the EU.
- Gautam Ganglani (Chief Executive Officer, Right Selection Global Thought Leadership): He introduces global best practices in leadership development and thought-driven strategy, enriching the NLC with international business perspectives. He had an extensive masterclass session exclusive for the VIP delegate – hours of intentional breakdown of the global economies and sustainable positioning for global relevance. Our foremost Dubai-based guest graced not just the panel session but an exclusively closed door masterclass where he chiseled the wit of delegates.
3. Corporate Strategy, Innovation, and Economic Transformation
The NLC acknowledges that national transformation is driven by visionary private sector leadership, innovation, and ethical business models.
- DR. LINUS OKORIE (Convener/CEO of the GOTNI Leadership Centre): As the convener and a leading voice on leadership development in Africa, Dr. Okorie provided the foundational framework for the entire conference, focusing on cultivating the next generation of effective, value-driven leaders.
- Dr. Corrie Block (Professor of strategic management, business strategist, executive coach, and leadership expert): Dr. Block’s expertise in strategic management and executive coaching ensures attendees receive highly practical, cutting-edge tools for leading organizations through complex market challenges. His extensive years of result-oriented work relationship model was shared in the work, ‘ Love at Work’. His discussion not only perused the intellect of delegates but also exudes its aura within the exclusive closed door conversation with VIP delegates.
- Engr. Obidike Nelkon Uzu (Managing Director of Global Process and Pipeline Services Ltd (GPPSL)): He exhorted delegates on the concept of the Growth Catalyst. Setting the tone on how to refine failure and how to design mess with the age, to form a message.
- Mr. Elvis Okonji (The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of GPC Energy and Logistics Limited): His presence provides deep, practical insights from the critical energy and logistics sectors, showcasing operational excellence and strategic risk management.
- Garba Mohammed (Executive Director of Alternative Bank Limited): His perspective is essential for discussions on ethical financing and innovative models that support national economic diversification and inclusion.
4. Entrepreneurship, Wealth Creation, and Youth Influence
These speakers represent the new face of Nigerian leadership – dynamic, entrepreneurial, and globally relevant – ensuring the conference speaks directly to the aspirations of the youth demographic.
- Daniel Moses (Chairman of Property Wealth Corporation) and Chukwuemeka Obiazikwor (Managing Director of NeoHomes Ltd): They offer actionable insights into real estate investment, wealth creation, and building successful ventures that contribute to national infrastructure.
- Sarah Amana (founder of Rich Aunty Finance Limited): She tackles the topics of financial literacy and empowerment, particularly for the emerging female leader, making the abstract concept of wealth accessible.
- Osasu Igbinedion (President of the TOS Group): A prominent media entrepreneur, she highlights the importance of media influence, branding, and strategic communication in shaping public opinion and national narratives.
- Professor John Kennedy Opara (Chief Executive Officer at CSS Group, Nigeria): His work bridges enterprise with social impact, providing a model for agribusiness leadership and sustainable commerce.
The Extraordinary Impact
The NLC 2025 was not just a conference; it was a convergence of capital – Intellectual Capital, Leadership Capital, and Social Capital. The calibre of the speakers, from a former President and a sitting Minister to global development heads and pioneering business leaders, ensures that every conversation is rooted in substance and is directly relevant to Nigeria’s most pressing challenges: governance, security, economic diversification, and youth empowerment.
This is a deliberate, orchestrated platform where local insight blends with global standards, guaranteeing attendees leave not just inspired, but equipped with actionable strategies to lead transformation in their respective spheres. It is the comprehensive and unmatched expertise of this stellar lineup that solidifies the NLC’s position as the nation’s most impactful leadership event.
The sessions were not merely inspirational – they were actionable. Delegates left with tools and frameworks to:
- Make better decisions under pressure
- Embed performance-driven culture in their teams
- Grow influence and create strategic partnerships
Networking: More Than Meets the Eye
Expansion of one’s “circle of influence” was not incidental; it was built into the agenda. Many organizations joined not just to attend, but to embed the learnings – deploying them back home with structure and intention. One of NLC’s greatest strengths is its ability to convene a diverse yet aligned group of leaders: CEOs, founders, policymakers, influencers – forming a space for collaborations.
National Impact & Leadership Excellence
It was not only individual transformation that made NLC 2025 a success, but its orientation toward national transformation: The focus was on building transformational leaders’ wealth, promoting inclusive growth and raising the standard of leadership excellence in Nigeria.
The National Leadership Conference 2025 positioned Nigeria to benefit from leaders who think long term, lead with integrity, and deliver impact. Minds were transformed, results were inspired, and leadership was elevated. It is, in every sense, a benchmark – not just for future conferences, but for the kind of leadership Nigeria needs now: visionary, grounded, brave, and accountable.
As the dust settles, the echoes of its excellence is clear: lasting change in business, government, and community begins with leaders who think differently. NLC 2025 did not just talk about it – it helped us live it.
