Pastor Ayo Ajani Inspires Global Thinking at TEDxNUTM 2025

At the 2025 edition of TEDxNUTM, themed “Think Global, Go Global,” held at the Alliance Française de Lagos, Ikoyi, some of the world’s most influential minds converged to share insights on innovation, business, and cultural impact.

The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director and CEO of Sterling Bank; Okechukwu Enelamah, Chairman of African Capital Alliance; and Napa Onwusah, Managing Partner at PlacidCode Labs.

While each speaker offered thought-provoking perspectives, one talk stood out for its depth, storytelling, and global resonance. Pastor Ayo Ajani, Global Senior Pastor of Petra Christian Centre, delivered a captivating address titled “Exporting Excellence: Taking Your Ideas Beyond Borders.”

In his talk, Pastor Ajani explored the concept of excellence as a bridge that allows ideas to transcend cultural and geographic boundaries. “Excellence is the universal passport that enables ideas to travel across the world without losing their impact,” he declared, setting the tone for a message that was both inspiring and practical.

To illustrate his point, he began with a Japanese legend about sushi — tracing its transformation from a simple fish preservation technique used by fishermen to a cultural export that has captured global palates. “Excellence is a universal language,” he emphasized. Just as sushi’s reinvention carried it from Tokyo to New York, he argued, any idea — whether born in Lagos, Nairobi, or Accra — can cross borders when refined with excellence.

Pastor Ajani further highlighted real-world examples of cultural products that have achieved global success through excellence. He cited South Korea’s K-pop, which has redefined music performance through precision, choreography, and storytelling, as well as Nigeria’s Afrobeats — once a niche sound, now a dominant global genre. These, he said, are testaments to how creativity and excellence can elevate local ideas to international acclaim.

Returning to his sushi metaphor in his conclusion, Pastor Ajani offered a striking takeaway: “Sushi crossed oceans without speaking a word. Your idea can too. Not because of marketing strategies, but because excellence doesn’t need translation. To think and go global, craft excellence so undeniable it whispers across borders and still gets heard.”

His message earned a standing ovation, marking his session as one of the defining moments of TEDxNUTM 2025.

For innovators, entrepreneurs, and creatives across Africa, Pastor Ayo Ajani’s talk was more than just a keynote — it was a challenge to raise the bar.

His words echoed long after the applause faded, serving as a reminder that in a world increasingly connected by ideas, excellence remains the only true global currency.