Lagos is set to host some of Nigeria’s most influential policymakers, business leaders, tourism experts, investors, hospitality executives, urban planners, healthcare professionals and development stakeholders as the highly anticipated Opportunity Lagos Conference and Lagos Enterprise and Excellence Awards Gala Dinner holds on June 30, 2026, at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja.
Organised under the theme, “Positioning Lagos as Africa’s Premier Global Gateway for Investment, Tourism and Enterprise,” the conference aims to advance strategic conversations on transforming Lagos into a globally competitive destination for business, tourism, innovation and sustainable development.
The event, convened by Prince Afolabi Andu, Chief Executive Officer of Global Africa Investments Limited, is expected to bring together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to explore practical solutions capable of strengthening Lagos’ position as Africa’s leading commercial and investment hub.
In his welcome message, Prince Andu described the conference as more than a gathering for dialogue, adding that it is designed to serve as a catalyst for implementation, innovation and long-term economic impact.
According to him, Lagos possesses many of the characteristics required to compete with major global cities, including a population exceeding 20 million people, a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, strategic Atlantic coastline, vibrant creative industries and a Gross Domestic Product estimated at approximately $259 billion in purchasing power parity terms.
He however stated that global competitiveness is not determined by economic size alone but by the quality of experience offered to investors, tourists, business travellers and residents.
The conference will therefore focus on addressing key challenges affecting the city’s attractiveness, including transportation bottlenecks, airport efficiency, visitor services, urban infrastructure, security, healthcare readiness, accommodation standards and environmental sustainability.
One of the major highlights of the conference will be a keynote session by renowned leadership strategist and nation-builder Fela Durotoye, who will speak on leadership values, integrity and visionary thinking as drivers of sustainable prosperity.
Tourism and culture advocate Otunba Dr. Wanle Akinboboye, Founder of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, will deliver a special data insight presentation on the economics of diaspora engagement and global visitor inflow, examining how tourism can become a stronger contributor to Lagos’ economic growth.
The conference programme also features a high-level panel discussion on visitor experience and service delivery, bringing together aviation regulators, airport authorities and airline operators to examine challenges affecting the first impressions of visitors arriving in Lagos.
Participants include Michael Achimugu, Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Eri Kayode of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN); and Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, President of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
Another major focus of the conference will be urban renewal and place-making, with discussions examining how great cities attract investment, tourism and talent through quality infrastructure, environmental sustainability and improved quality of life.
Experts expected to lead these conversations include Dr. Tunji Olagunju, Chief Executive Officer of Tenfold Design and Construction Limited, and Dr. Adetoro Bank-Omotoye, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Cruxstone Development and Investment Limited.
The tourism and hospitality segment will feature presentations by Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, who will discuss the future of tourism development in Lagos, while hospitality industry leader Chief Chike Ogeah, Managing Director of MacFolly Hospitality Limited, will speak on hospitality excellence and experience standardisation.
Other sessions will address healthcare readiness for international visitors, security architecture for global cities, accommodation infrastructure, investment opportunities within the hospitality industry, and strategies for positioning Lagos as Africa’s preferred destination for business, tourism and lifestyle experiences.
The conference will also feature participation from leading organisations including Iwosan Healthcare Systems, Halogen Security Group, Lekki Worldwide Investments Limited, Regus Nigeria, Banks Luxury Serviced Apartments Limited and Black Boy Afrika Group.
Beyond the conference, attention will shift in the evening to the Lagos Enterprise & Excellence Awards Gala Dinner, a prestigious recognition platform established to celebrate organisations and institutions contributing significantly to the economic, social and infrastructural development of Lagos State.
The awards ceremony, organised in partnership with the Nigerian Achievers Awards Institute-Global, will honour excellence across various sectors including tourism and hospitality, healthcare, media and communications, arts and culture, security, real estate and urban development, public service, governance and community development.
The awards are designed to recognise visionary institutions, innovative enterprises, government agencies and private sector organisations whose contributions continue to strengthen Lagos as Africa’s most dynamic economy.
The gala dinner is expected to attract government officials, diplomats, captains of industry, investors, development partners, corporate executives and media professionals, creating an additional platform for networking, collaboration and investment promotion.
Hosted at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, one of Nigeria’s leading luxury hospitality destinations, the event further aligns with the broader objective of showcasing Lagos as a city capable of delivering world-class business, tourism and hospitality experiences.
