The programme is designed for family business owners, founders, incumbents preparing for transition, next-generation successors, and senior family members involved in business governance or ownership decisions. It is equally relevant for those just beginning to formalise governance and those seeking to strengthen existing structures.

You don’t need any prior expertise. The programme is structured to build from foundational principles on Day 1 through to implementation and legacy on Days 3 and 4, making it accessible regardless of where participants are in their governance journey.

This programme is specifically designed around the unique dynamics of family-owned enterprises where family relationships, business performance, and ownership interests intersect. The faculty, case studies, and peer discussions are all rooted in the family business context, including the Nigerian and African business environment.

The programme features a distinguished faculty combining academic rigour and real-world experience, including Dr Okey Nwuke, Prof. Franklin Ngwu, Mr Kunle Elebute, Mr Segun Sowande, and practitioners from family offices and professional services. Crucially, it also includes experiential sessions led by actual family business founders and successors.

The programme runs over 4 days and covers three core modules: governance foundations, framework design, implementation, and legacy.

Both. The programme deliberately moves from frameworks to application. Session 9, for instance, is dedicated to building a step-by-step succession roadmap. Participants are encouraged to work with their own business context throughout.

The programme covers governance principles, family business dynamics, governance tools (councils, constitutions, shareholder agreements), board professionalisation, succession planning for leadership and ownership, conflict resolution, founder exit and successor readiness, estate planning, trusts and wills, and multigenerational legacy.

Not at all. In fact, the earlier governance and succession planning begin, the more effective it tends to be. Participants at any stage — from early-stage formalisation to active transition will find the content directly applicable.

Yes. The programme includes dedicated experience-sharing sessions with a founder/incumbent and a successor, as well as peer learning through cohort discussions. These conversations often generate as much insight as the formal sessions.

Participants receive a certificate of completion from Lagos Business School, presented at the close of the programme on Day 4.

Yes, and it is often encouraged. Having a founder and a successor or siblings involved in the business together can accelerate alignment and create a shared vocabulary for sensitive conversations.

Please contact the Family Business Initiative team at Lagos Business School for registration details, fees, and upcoming cohort dates.