Lagos Business School Unveils Professor Albert Alos Endowed Chair in Strategic Management
Lagos Business School (LBS) has officially announced the establishment of the Professor Albert Alos Endowed Chair in Strategic Management, marking a pivotal advancement in its mission to deepen strategic thought leadership across Africa. The announcement was made during a prestigious ceremony held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Federal Palace Hotel and Casino in Lagos, Nigeria. The event brought together a distinguished gathering of alumni, corporate leaders, faculty members, and partners to celebrate the legacy of Professor Albert Alos, the founding dean of LBS and former Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University.
Honoring a Legacy of Excellence
Under the theme "Legacy, leadership and the frontier of strategic management," the ceremony served as both a reflection on past achievements and a forward-looking initiative for future impact. Professor Olayinka David-West, Dean of Lagos Business School, opened the programme with a welcome address that underscored the school's unwavering commitment to building upon its rich heritage while expanding its influence in strategic thinking and management education.
A tribute session titled "Legacy Tribute – Architect of Excellence" highlighted Professor Alos's instrumental role in laying the foundational groundwork for the institution and mentoring generations of business leaders. Alumni reflections were shared by Clare Omatseye and Lawrence Mba, who recounted personal experiences of how Professor Alos profoundly influenced their careers and leadership styles, emphasizing his enduring impact on the business community.
Advancing Strategic Thought Leadership
During the event, Valentine Okelu, Vice President of the Lagos Business School Alumni Association, represented Alumni President Dr. Owen Omogiafo and reiterated the alumni community's dedication to supporting the endowed chair. He described the initiative as a collective responsibility to sustain and extend the legacy of excellence associated with the school, fostering continued growth and innovation in strategic management.
In a keynote address on "The Strategic Imperative: Advancing Strategic Thought Leadership for Africa," Fabian Ajogwu, Senior Partner at Kenna, stressed the urgent need for Africa-driven frameworks in strategy, governance, and leadership. He noted that as global systems become increasingly complex, African institutions must develop context-specific approaches that reflect local realities while maintaining global relevance, positioning the endowed chair as a critical step in this direction.
Formal Unveiling and Committee Recognition
The formal unveiling of the endowed chair was a defining moment of the evening, symbolizing LBS's intention to establish a sustainable platform for research, teaching, and engagement in strategic management. The event also included an invitation to the Founders' Circle, signaling the commencement of efforts to secure support for this groundbreaking initiative.
Professor Albert Alos, born in Barcelona, Spain, studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Bilbao, where he earned a doctorate in 1966. He began his academic career in Kenya before moving to Nigeria in 1967, teaching at institutions such as the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Obafemi Awolowo University. His leadership as founding dean of Lagos Business School and pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University played a key role in shaping management education and ethical business leadership in Africa, leading to his grant of Nigerian citizenship in 2022 in recognition of his contributions.
The ceremony concluded with a toast by Ejovi Aror and closing remarks from Chief Raymond Ihyembe, Chairman of the Endowed Chair Committee. LBS acknowledged the support of sponsors and media partners, including Federal Palace Hotel and Casino, SLOT Systems Limited, Kenna, Channels Television, BusinessDay Media, and The Guardian Nigeria. Members of the Endowed Chair Committee were also recognized for their pivotal role in driving the initiative, comprising Chief Raymond Ihyembe, Professor Chris Ogbechie, Professor Pat Utomi, Clare Omatseye, Sylvia Nwakwue, Nkechi Iwegbu, Frank Aigbogun, Patrick Akinwuntan, Jacinta Ifeoma Anakua, and Oghogho Osula.
