The organisers of Hotel Managers Conference (HMC) Africa Lagos 2025 have unveiled the speakers for the conference, which is now in its 7th edition.
Notable globally rated hospitality experts will lead discussions in this year’s edition, which is themed “Synergizing for Sustainable Growth Through Global Best Practices” and with IDS Next as the headline sponsor.
The conference will take place from June 28-29, 2025, at the Grand African Ballroom, Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, amid a promise of an exceptional gathering of professionals, who will share insights and best practices to drive sustainable growth in the industry.
Expressing his excitement about the lineup of globally rated speakers, Olugbenga Sunday, convener of the conference, said, “We are honored to have such a diverse range of speakers and panelists at the HMC Africa Lagos 2025”.
The speakers include: Michael Pinder, general manager, JS Signature Hotel, Port Harcourt; Wasiu Babalola, senior vice president African Continent, at Worldwide Hotels Turkey; Belinda Nwosu, Faculty of Organisational Behavior & HRM, Lagos Business School; Olajide Abiola, founder/CEO, Gidanka Abuja; Bayo Adedeji, group CEO, Wakanow; Karl Hala, group general manager, Continental Hotels Group; Ahmed Raza, district director, Radisson Hotel Group Nigeria; Johnny El Ghobri, general manager, Black Diamond Hotel Lagos, and Dewald Kruger, general manager, The Envoy Hotel Abuja.
Others are: Emmanuel Michael, director, Human Resources, Eko Hotels and Suites Lagos; Ebi Seimodie, general manager, Ogeyi Place Port Harcourt; Sharafa Balogun, general manager, Glocient Hospitality; Senan Goundjo, founder, Hospitality Tech Show USA; Funke Olusoga-Ogunlade, principal hospitality consultant, The Funkeo Company; Lydia Akunja, lecturer, Moi University, Kenya; Molly Apio, chairperson, Hotel General Managers Association of Uganda; Amir Adamu,
founder/executive diirector, Innovation and Leadership Forum Cameroon; Pius Obaje, managing director, Presken Hotels Group; and Benedicta Ogar, lead consultant, Cavodah Hospitality Management Company.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Michael Pinder, one of the confirmed speakers, expressed enthusiasm about his participation saying, “I am looking forward to sharing my experiences and insights with the audience”.
Wasiu Babalola, a professor and another speaker, emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in the hospitality industry. “The HMC Africa Lagos 2025 conference is a great platform for industry professionals to come together and discuss the latest trends and challenges facing the industry,” he said.
On her part, Belinda Nwosu also expressed excitement about participating in the conference, saying, “I am looking forward to sharing my expertise and learning from other industry professionals”.
She will share insights on human resource management and organisational behavior.
Read also: ‘We are in HMCA 2025 to support African hospitality industry with innovative, scalable solutions’
The Gidanka CEO will discuss his experiences in hospitality management, while Pinder will provide insights on hotel management.
The Wakanow group CEO will share his expertise on hospitality technology, Hala will discuss hotel operations, while the district director, Radisson Hotel Group Nigeria, will provide insights on hotel management and operations.
Other speakers will also share their insights and experiences that will make the conference an informative and engaging experience for the delegates.
Moreover, with its rich lineup of speakers and panelists, the conference is expected to provide a platform for delegates to network, learn, and grow. The event will also feature discussions, presentations, and workshops on various topics related to hospitality management.
The organisers expect a large turnout of industry professionals and thought leaders, amid a unique opportunity for the delegates to learn from the experiences and insights of the speakers and panelists.
It will also offer a great platform for industry professionals to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in hospitality management, network with peers, learn from industry experts, and share their own experiences and insights.
The HMC Africa Lagos 2025 conference is a testament to the growing importance of the hospitality industry in Africa.
The organisers have put together a comprehensive programme that will cater to the needs of industry professionals. The conference will feature a range of topics, including hospitality management, customer service, and industry trends.


