As artificial intelligence reshapes business operations and workforce demands evolve, business leaders, policymakers and technology executives will converge in Lagos this week to examine strategies for building globally competitive and future-ready organisations.
The two-day Lead the Future Conference 2026, scheduled for October 23 and 24 at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, will bring together prominent figures from the financial, technology, public and private sectors to discuss the role of people, artificial intelligence and innovation in driving organisational growth.
The conference, themed “Leading Globally Competitive and Future-Ready Organisations: People, AI, Innovation,”comes amid growing pressure on businesses to adapt to technological disruption, changing employee expectations and intensifying global competition.
Dr Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), will chair the conference, which will also feature Dr Tunde Lemo, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Dr Yetunde Anibaba, Senior Faculty at Lagos Business School; and Tayo Ayinde, Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor.
Other speakers include Foluso Phillips, Chairman of Phillips Consulting; Ademola Adebise, former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank Plc; Abideen Yusuf, General Manager, Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana; Kunbi Adeoti, Chief People Experience Officer at Leadway Group; and Ireayomide Oladunjoye, Chief Executive Officer of Endeavor Nigeria.
Emmanuel Eze, Country Head of HP Nigeria; Niyi Adesanya, Founder of FifthGear Plus Consulting; and Bright ‘UK’ Ukwenga, convener of the conference, are also expected to participate.
Speaking ahead of the event, Ukwenga said the future of leadership would depend not only on how organisations respond to change but also on how deliberately they prepare their workforce and institutions for emerging challenges.
He said the growing influence of artificial intelligence and other technologies required leaders to look beyond immediate business outcomes and focus on building adaptable institutions capable of creating lasting value.
According to him, the conference will provide a platform for decision-makers, business founders and institutional leaders to exchange ideas on strengthening leadership, improving organisational capabilities and sustaining competitiveness.
The programme will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, expert conversations and networking sessions focused on strategic foresight, innovation and the leadership decisions required to navigate an increasingly complex business environment.
Organisers said the gathering would explore how businesses could align their people, technology and innovation strategies to remain competitive and resilient.
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