The Lagos Business School (LBS) Executive Programmes Graduation Ceremony, held on Saturday, 13th December 2025, was not merely a tradition; it was a powerful mandate for change. As the ceremony commenced with a solemn prayer led by Mr Kingsley Ukoha, Registrar, Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), the focus shifted from academic achievement to the profound responsibility now resting on over 400 graduating executives.
Celebrating graduates from diverse programmes—including the Management Acceleration Programme (MAP), Senior Management Programme (SMP), Chief Executive Programme (CEP), and the Global CEO Africa Programme—the event served as a clarion call for ethical leadership, sustainability, and legacy building across the continent.
Sharpening Judgment and Values
In her opening remarks, Prof. Enase Okonedo, Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, steered the focus away from the superficial lure of certificates. She emphasised that executive education at LBS is about “sharpening judgment… learning to see things more clearly and to act responsibly when the answers are not obvious.”
Prof. Okonedo highlighted the volatile economic landscape leaders are returning to, noting that “technical competence alone is not enough.” She urged graduates to anchor their leadership in LBS’s core values of integrity, professionalism, and respect for human dignity, to navigate ethical pressures successfully.
Commitment to Impact and Character
Prof. Olayinka David-West, Dean of Lagos Business School, reiterated the school’s global standing, citing its recent Financial Times ranking in the top 50 globally for executive education. However, she affirmed that LBS defines leadership not by titles, but by “ethics, responsibility, and impact.”
The Dean challenged the new alumni to combine competence with character. She further highlighted the school’s commitment to sustainability, noting that 60% of LBS’s power is generated by solar energy—a tangible example of building enterprises that are environmentally conscious and built to last.
Ethical Leadership and Enduring Legacy
Delivering the keynote address on “Ethical Business Leadership, Sustainability, and Legacy Building,” Mrs Kofo Akinkugbe, Founder/Group CEO of Secure ID Group, provided a practical guide to leading with integrity. She distinguished getting results and how they are achieved, stating, “The truth is, how the money is made is as important as the money itself.”
Mrs Akinkugbe defined legacy as “what is left after you are gone,” urging leaders to focus on innovation and robust governance to ensure their institutions outlive their tenure. Her closing mantra resonated deeply: “Leadership is your opportunity. Ethics is your advantage. Legacy is your responsibility.”
The Alumni Pledge and Future Commitments
A pivotal moment arrived with the formal induction led by Mr Valentine Okelu, Vice President of the LBS Alumni Association. Graduates took a binding oath to “contribute to the upliftment of society through the observance and promotion of ethics” in all business dealings.
This sense of responsibility was immediately evident in the generous endowments announced by the graduating cohorts. These contributions demonstrated a collective understanding that true legacy involves investing in the opportunities of future generations of African leaders.
The Next Chapter
The 2025 graduation concluded with a sense of immense possibility. Graduates from the MAP, AgMP, SMP, OMP, AMP, CEP, and Global CEO Africa programmes now join an influential global network. They leave LBS with a unified charge: to lead ethically, build sustainably, and define a legacy that transcends quarterly results. The future of responsible business leadership in Africa is bright.
