Lagos Business School (LBS) recently welcomed a delegation from Augustine University, led by its Vice‑Chancellor, Rev. Father Professor Anthony Alaba Akinwale, OP, for a strategic engagement focused on leadership development and value-driven education. The visit provided both institutions with an opportunity to reflect on the evolving landscape of higher education and to explore collaborative pathways for developing responsible and ethical leaders.

Anchored in Mission, Driven by Strategy

Opening the session, Professor Olayinka David‑West, Dean of LBS, reflected on the school’s evolution and reaffirmed its commitment to a mission-centred growth trajectory. She highlighted that, despite LBS’s expanding footprint, its core values continue to guide decision-making and long-term strategy. “We achieve our goals through our people,” she remarked, underscoring the importance of having the right people as the strategic anchor that enables innovation without compromising the institution’s purpose

She further noted that collaboration remains central to LBS’s vision. Through intentional partnerships across Africa and globally, the school aims to drive systemic, positive change, recognising that sustainable impact is a shared responsibility.

 Academic Excellence Rooted in People and Purpose

The conversation transitioned to the core of LBS’s academic strength: its faculty. Professor Kemi Ogunyemi, Faculty Director, outlined the rigorous standards that guide faculty performance, from high-quality research output to curriculum innovation and service contributions. She emphasised that these standards are designed not just to uphold academic excellence but to cultivate a vibrant, supportive learning ecosystem.

This was further illustrated by Dr Uche Attoh, Head of the Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour Department (HROB), who described LBS’s “practitioner‑scholar” model. Drawing on deep industry expertise, faculty enrich the classroom with real-world insights, helping students build the leadership capabilities required to navigate complex business environments.

Building Sustainable Systems and Lifelong Community

Discussions extended beyond academics to the structures that sustain the institution’s long-term impact:

• Sustainability & Operations:
  Operations Director, Oyedayo Otokiti, highlighted LBS’s transition to fully sustainable power systems and the meticulous processes that ensure operational reliability and institutional resilience.
• Alumni Engagement:
  Alumni Director, Henry Andoh, spoke about nurturing the enduring relationship between the school and its graduates. He emphasised that alumni engagement at LBS is designed to foster lifelong values, with a strong focus on continued service to society.
• Culture & Organisational Discipline:
  Osita Egwudobi, Manager, Strategy & Projects, outlined the school’s practice of setting clear annual objectives, as well as monthly engagement initiatives that ensure LBS’s culture and values remain consistently embedded across all levels of the community.
• Amplifying the Impact:

The discussions also highlighted the role of communication in strengthening institutional identity and influence. Nsima Ogedi‑Alakwe, Chief Marketing Officer of LBS, underscored the strategic importance of telling one’s story as an institution. She noted that in an increasingly competitive and fast-moving educational landscape, visibility is not merely about publicity but about shaping perception, reinforcing values, and ensuring that the institution’s voice remains clear and consistent.

Together, these pillars reflect LBS’s holistic approach to education, one that integrates academic quality, operational excellence, and value-driven leadership.

A Shared Philosophy: Education with Ethical Intent

In responding, the Vice‑Chancellor of Augustine University echoed LBS’s mission-aligned values. He emphasised the urgent need for “technocrats who are also ethically proficient,” noting that technical expertise alone is insufficient in a rapidly evolving and morally complex world.

Drawing inspiration from St. Augustine, he stressed that education must be purposeful and ethically grounded. He highlighted the importance of integrating philosophy and critical thinking into STEM and other technical programmes, ensuring that graduates develop both intellectual competence and moral clarity.

Collective Commitment to a Better Society

The visit concluded with a shared affirmation that academic institutions play a foundational role in shaping society. By engaging in open dialogue on governance, faculty development, and value-based education, Lagos Business School and Augustine University reinforced their collective commitment to advancing an ethical, prosperous, and resilient society.

Both institutions look forward to deepening their collaboration, exploring new areas of partnership, and jointly championing the transformative power of education grounded in purpose and integrity.