Business Leader Advocates for Knowledge-Driven Conferences Over Social Jamborees
Concerned by the growing trend of conferences degenerating into social jamborees, business leader and cleric Lanre Oluseye has called for a significant shift towards knowledge-driven gatherings. He emphasizes the need for events anchored on mentorship, actionable insights, and tangible economic outcomes to drive real transformation.
Urgent Need for Value-Driven Platforms
Oluseye highlighted an urgent necessity to create platforms that position chief executives, middle-level managers, and business owners in the Niger Delta to scale operations and foster economic growth. He lamented that many conferences have failed to deliver value, reducing what should be transformative platforms into mere coffee-drinking and networking events without measurable impact.
Against this backdrop, he announced the forthcoming Convergence Conference in Port Harcourt, designed to overturn the long-held perception of conferences as social gatherings. This event will focus on delivering results that could impact participants and contribute to national economic growth.
Changing the Narrative Through Knowledge
Speaking ahead of the April 18 event, Oluseye stated, "We are trying to change that narrative. Conferences are supposed to change people and, by extension, the nation. When you sit with the right minds, your thinking shifts. What we are convening is a knowledge conference, one that delivers applicable insights."
Approximately 600 chief executives and middle managers are expected to attend the conference, which aims to address key investment and business challenges in the Niger Delta through innovative thinking and strategies.
Structured Mentoring and Critical Conversations
The programme will feature structured mentoring sessions, pairing experienced professionals with emerging talents to bridge knowledge gaps and tackle what Oluseye described as Nigeria's "challenge of continuity." It will bring together business executives, young professionals, and entrepreneurs for critical conversations on the global economy and its local implications.
Oluseye explained, "The world economy is shaking in ways many did not envisage. These are the kinds of conversations we must have. If you are not at the table, you may end up on the menu."
From Conversations to Transactions
Beyond keynote sessions, the event will include a "deal room" designed to move participants from conversations to transactions. This space will allow viable business ideas to attract funding and strategic partnerships. Financial institutions, including Euro Exim Bank, will provide funding windows for credible business proposals, with investment support ranging from $500,000 to $2 billion.
Oluseye stressed, "This is not about coming for lunch packs or souvenirs. It is about value creation. Real knowledge comes at a price, and people must take responsibility for their own growth."
Building Networks and Elevating Economic Landscapes
He underscored the importance of building the right networks, noting that meaningful connections remain critical to career and business advancement. The initiative seeks to elevate the economic and professional landscape of Rivers State to compete with leading commercial hubs like Lagos.
"There is a reason Port Harcourt and Lagos are perceived differently. We want to close that gap by creating platforms where ideas thrive, businesses grow, and collaborations happen," he added.
Integration of Faith and Development
Oluseye also called for stronger integration between faith-based institutions and societal development, arguing that spiritual growth must be complemented by economic empowerment. "The church cannot operate in isolation. A thriving people make a thriving society. We must address both the spiritual and physical realities of life," he said.
High-Impact Sessions and Industry Leaders
The full-day event is expected to feature high-impact sessions, career discussions, networking opportunities, and strategic collaborations aimed at fostering innovation, enterprise, and sustainable growth. Notable industry leaders scheduled to attend include:
- Leye Falade, Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG)
- Gbite Falade, MD/CEO of Aradel Holdings Plc
- Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun
- Tope Aladenusi of Deloitte Africa
- Segun Zaccheaus, Lead Economist and Strategist at PwC
- Olakunle Soriyan, a global thinker and futurist
This conference represents a pivotal step towards redefining the purpose and impact of business gatherings in Nigeria, moving beyond superficial interactions to drive substantive economic and professional development.
