The Iconic Brand Africa (TIBA) Academy has marked a significant milestone with the graduation of its inaugural class of students. The ceremony took place on Saturday, November 20, 2025, during the seventh edition of the TIBA Awards and Conference in Lagos.
A Foundation for Business Excellence
The graduation event unfolded under the theme ‘Thriving in business and career through innovation and resilience’. During the ceremony, the academy reinforced its commitment to empowering young business professionals through dedicated mentorship and valuable networking opportunities designed to help them excel and expand their enterprises.
Omobabinrin Adeola Osideko, the founder of TIBA and lead trainer at the academy, explained that the institution was established to provide budding entrepreneurs and entry-level professionals with the essential tools to succeed in today's fast-paced and competitive global economy. She observed that many individuals venture into business or careers without the necessary knowledge and skills, which often leads to frustration and failure.
Practical and Relevant Curriculum
Osideko expressed gratitude to Nancy Lawrence and other collaborators for helping bring the academy's vision to life. She emphasized that the courses offered are highly practical and tailored to meet the demands of modern industries.
"The academy offers a comprehensive three-in-one package that includes accelerated programmes, branding and marketing, and communication to sales and marketing," Osideko stated. "No matter where you are in your growth journey, TIBA Academy has a path for you."
Nancy Lawrence, the project manager and communications facilitator at TIBA Academy, elaborated on the curriculum. She described the academy as a virtual school offering 14 to 16 courses focused on critical areas such as personal development, personal branding, communications, teamwork, networking, artificial intelligence (AI), and sales and marketing.
According to Lawrence, these courses are specifically designed to "help instill excellence and an innovative spirit in entrepreneurs and other professionals, enabling them to steer their businesses in a thriving manner."
Celebrating Global Graduates and Launching New Ventures
A total of 22 students from Nigeria, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Namibia successfully completed the programme. Eniola Adedigba was honoured as the best-graduating student of the cohort.
Osideko charged the graduates to uphold the vision and mission of TIBA and to apply the skills and knowledge they acquired to grow their businesses, brands, and communities. Several graduates shared positive experiences from their time at the academy, thanking their instructors for the valuable skills and exposure gained.
In a related development, the organization launched TIBA Consult, its new business and consulting arm, during the event.
