A significant issue confronting African businesses is their often short lifespan, which is closely tied to the life of their founders. When a founder or business leader dies, it not only threatens the survival of the business but also the innovative ideas that were integral to its creation and growth. This problem is compounded by the lack of documentation and shared experiences, leaving younger Nigerian entrepreneurs with few insights to glean from the successes of their predecessors. This knowledge gap is particularly troubling because many business leaders from older generations rarely document or share their experiences.

To address this critical issue, GlobalMentorBridge, a global mentorship platform focused on bridging generational, sectoral, and geographical gaps through mentoring and networking, is hosting a special summit in Lagos on Saturday, August 3, 2024. The summit, themed “Beyond Ideas,” aims to bring together business leaders, with a particular emphasis on entrepreneurs and startups, for a dynamic exchange of ideas, knowledge, and networking opportunities.
The event will feature prominent figures from various sectors who will share their journeys from conceptualizing ideas to establishing successful businesses in Nigeria. They will provide insights on overcoming socio-economic challenges and strategies for scaling businesses beyond initial ideas.
Jane Oma, the convener of the summit, emphasized the event’s goal: “We aim to build a global platform that fosters meaningful connections among experienced business leaders and startup founders, regardless of age. Our focus is on facilitating knowledge exchange and utilizing mentoring as a tool for building bridges.” She added, “This year’s Gala is designed to inspire leaders to move beyond mere ideas, actively promoting sustainability, and transferring knowledge across generations, sectors, and geographies through mentoring and purposeful networking.”
The summit is expected to attract at least 200 business leaders, management executives, and startup founders. Participants will have the opportunity to connect, share insights, and establish mentoring relationships, allowing both seasoned business elites and emerging entrepreneurs to benefit from each other’s strengths and experiences.

Among the speakers are notable figures such as Ifeoma Malo, CEO and Co-founder of Clean Technology Hub, who will discuss “Building Clean Technology Hub – Attracting and Nurturing Top Talents into Global Leaders.” Don Ebubeogu, CEO/MD of Tiger Foods, will address “The Case of Tiger Foods – The Power of Mentorship to Drive Collaboration, Innovation, and Strong Business Leadership,” while Abimbola Adebakin, Founder and CEO of Advantage Health Africa, will present on “Leading Advantage Health Africa.”
Additionally, Babatunde Akin-Moses, Co-founder and CEO of Sycamore NG, will explore the role of mentoring across various sectors. Dr. Clement Obadimu, CEO and Principal Partner at Mentor Tower, will talk about “The Place of Mentoring and Reverse Mentoring in Organizational, Professional, and Personal Growth.” Mrs. Modupe Ehirim, CEO and Principal Partner at MOE Advisory Ltd, will discuss “The Importance of Mentoring for Healthy Family Life and Its Overall Impact.”
Other speakers include Shehu Zubairu, Senior Partner at Human Capital Partners, who will guide on “Being a Pace Setter – Organizational and Personal Growth,” and Mayowa Adeosun, Co-founder and COO of Sycamore NG, who will share insights on “Decision Making, Managing Change – Moving from England to Nigeria and Co-founding Sycamore.” Dr. Tochukwu MacFoy, Founder of Energize Africa, will provide insights on “Staying Ahead of Industry-Specific Knowledge, Emerging Technologies, and Global Best Practices,” while Regis Ohia, CEO of Varosi Real Estate Group, will focus on “Gaining Competitive Advantage in the Real Estate Industry.”
The summit has garnered collaboration from various Nigerian businesses, startups, and international entities, including Al-Hussein Technical University in Amman, Jordan. GlobalMentorBridge recently held a summit in Jordan in partnership with the university, which saw participation from prominent business leaders across the Middle East and the United States, reaching approximately 1.1 million people through both in-person and online platforms.
The “Beyond Ideas” summit promises to be a pivotal event for those looking to bridge the knowledge gap and advance their business ventures through meaningful connections and mentorship.
