Lagos Business School Announces Professor Albert Alos Endowed Chair in Strategic Management
Lagos Business School (LBS) has made a landmark announcement with the establishment of the Professor Albert Alos Endowed Chair in Strategic Management, representing a significant advancement in the institution's mission to foster strategic thought leadership across Africa. The formal unveiling took place during a prestigious ceremony held on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, at the Federal Palace Hotel and Casino in Lagos, drawing a distinguished gathering of alumni, corporate executives, faculty members, and institutional partners.
Honoring a Pioneering Legacy
The event served as a tribute to Professor Albert Alos, the founding dean of Lagos Business School and the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, whose visionary leadership has been instrumental in shaping the school's growth and its esteemed reputation in management education. Under the theme "Legacy, leadership and the frontier of strategic management," the ceremony thoughtfully reflected on past achievements while setting a forward-looking agenda for future impact.
Professor Olayinka David-West, Dean of Lagos Business School, inaugurated 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 business leadership. A dedicated tribute session, titled "Legacy Tribute – Architect of Excellence," highlighted Professor Alos's foundational role in establishing the institution and his profound mentorship of multiple generations of business leaders.
Alumni Reflections and Strategic Vision
During the alumni reflections segment, Clare Omatseye and Lawrence Mba shared personal anecdotes detailing how Professor Alos's guidance significantly influenced their career trajectories and leadership philosophies. Representing the Alumni President, Dr Owen Omogiafo, the Alumni Vice President, Valentine Okelu, reaffirmed the alumni community's dedication to supporting the endowed chair initiative. He characterized the endeavour as a collective responsibility to sustain and extend the legacy of excellence synonymous with Lagos Business School.
In a keynote address on "The Strategic Imperative: Advancing Strategic Thought Leadership for Africa," Fabian Ajogwu, Senior Partner at Kenna, emphasized the critical necessity for Africa-driven frameworks in strategy, governance, and leadership. He articulated that as global systems become increasingly complex, African institutions must develop context-specific approaches that authentically reflect local realities while maintaining global relevance and competitiveness.
Formal Unveiling and Institutional Commitment
The formal unveiling of the endowed chair stood as one of the evening's defining moments, symbolizing LBS's strategic intent to create a sustainable platform for cutting-edge research, innovative teaching, and meaningful engagement in the field of strategic management. The event also featured an invitation to the Founders' Circle, marking the commencement of efforts to secure robust support for this ambitious initiative.
Professor Albert Alos: A Distinguished Career
Professor Albert Alos, born in Barcelona, Spain, pursued Electrical Engineering at the University of Bilbao, where he earned his doctorate in 1966. He commenced his academic career in Kenya before relocating to Nigeria in 1967, subsequently teaching at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Obafemi Awolowo University. His pivotal roles as founding dean of Lagos Business School and pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University have been central to shaping management education and promoting ethical business leadership in Africa. In recognition of his immense contributions, he was granted Nigerian citizenship in 2022.
Ceremony Conclusion and Acknowledgments
The ceremony concluded with a toast by Ejovi Aror and closing remarks from Chief Raymond Ihyembe, Chairman of the Endowed Chair Committee. Lagos Business School extended gratitude to its 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 acknowledged for their instrumental role in driving the initiative forward. The committee comprises 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.
