… Lagos Business School graduates 212 executive education leaders
Oluwatoyin Sanni, founder / executive vice-chair at Emerging Africa Capital Group has emphasised that in today’s dynamic and complex business environment, success in entrepreneurship and leadership demands far more than just technical expertise.
Sanni disclosed this during her keynote address at the Lagos Business School (LBS) executive programmes graduation ceremony of 212 students held recently inside the school’s Honeywell auditorium, when she said that credibility as a leader will not come from students’ technical competence alone.
“In today’s world, leadership without ethics is like a ship without a compass – rudderless, vulnerable to storms, and headed for disaster.
“Your credibility as a leader will not come from your technical competence alone, but from your integrity, your consistency, and your courage to make the right choices, even when they are unpopular,” Sanni emphasised.
Narrating her experience as an alumnus of LBS, she said that one of the pillars of the school’s teachings and one that remains deeply ingrained in her, is the centrality of ethics in leadership.
“It was at LBS that I discovered the courage for entrepreneurship and finally submitted to that burning vision that had simmered under the surface for decades as I climbed the career ladder.
“I have found, in my career journey, that the most sustainable ventures are those that uphold trust, transparency, and fairness, not just for shareholders, but for employees, customers, communities, and the environment,” she noted.
Read also: Ethics, character and competence will define future professionals, says ICSAN president
Sanni reiterated that sustainability is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’; but a necessity; whether in energy, finance, or manufacturing, she said the global business landscape is shifting.
“Long-term value creation depends on how responsibly you use resources, how inclusively you build systems, and how innovatively you solve problems. For Africa, the challenges are vast but so are the opportunities.
“As graduates of this institution, you are uniquely equipped to drive the kind of sustainable economic and social transformation that our continent desperately needs.
I urge you: in your boardrooms, at your strategy retreats, in your everyday decisions, ask yourselves, “Am I building for the future or just meeting today’s targets?”
“We serve not only the interests of our shareholders, but also the hopes of the next generation,” she said.
The serial entrepreneur encouraged the graduating students to stay connected to Lagos Business School; leaning on the network, sharing their knowledge, and remember, they are not just graduates; but ambassadors of principled leadership in a world that is hungry for it.
“You are no longer just executives, you are torchbearers, and the world needs the light you carry,” she noted.
Olayinka David-West, dean at Lagos Business School lauded the graduates’ perseverance and commitment to continuous learning.
“Your rebirth started when you walked through our doors, arriving on time, critically thinking about diverse problems, challenging assumptions, and framing and reframing until arriving at a decision, wearing the shoes of many a protagonist, guided by responsible management principles, and making lifelong connections,” David-West said.
Emmanuel Imafidon, programme’s academic director at LBS delivered a tribute to Peter Okoloh, a member of the Advanced Management Programme (AMP) cohort 42, who sadly passed away during his programme, extolling his life of excellence and impact.
“Peter’s career was marked by excellence and a deep commitment to human-centred leadership. His impact went beyond titles. He nurtured talent, leading with empathy and humility,” he stated.
Evelyn Okoloh, wife of the late Okoloh, was invited to receive the certificate on behalf of her husband.
Victor Banjo, director of executive education at LBS, presented the graduates to the vice-chancellor, confirming that they had fulfilled all the requirements for the award of their certificates.
The graduates were presented certificates for the programmes, the Global Chief Executive Officer Africa Programme (GCEO-A); Advanced Management Programme (AMP); Senior Manager Programme (SMP); Owner-Manager Programme (OMP); Agribusiness Management Programme (AgMP); Management Acceleration Programme (MAP); and Human Resources Academy (HRA).
Jerry Chukwueke, president of the graduating GCEO Africa class, speaking on behalf of the guardians emphasised the need for leaders who will drive positive change in both the private sector and public service, when he said, “It is a tough call, but it is doable.”
