Bet9ja Charts Its Next Chapter with 2026 Leadership Strategy Retreat in Lagos

KC Gaming Networks Limited has set a bold tone for the year ahead as it convened its leadership in Lagos for a strategic retreat aimed at sharpening Bet9ja’s vision, strengthening execution, and reinforcing its commitment to lasting industry impact, writes Nseobong Okon-Ekong 

KC Gaming Networks Limited, the parent company of Bet9ja—Nigeria’s leading gambling and gaming brand—has concluded its 2026 Strategy Planning Retreat, a four-day intensive leadership engagement designed to sharpen the company’s strategic direction and reinforce its commitment to long-term, sustainable impact. Held in Lagos, the retreat brought together members of the executive leadership team, senior managers, and selected contributors from across the organization for a series of high-level discussions, working sessions, and collaborative forums.

The retreat marked a deliberate pause from the fast-paced demands of daily operations, providing a structured environment for leaders to reflect on performance, challenge long-held assumptions, and define the strategic choices that will guide Bet9ja’s next phase of growth. More than a routine corporate gathering, the event was positioned as a leadership alignment forum—one focused on strengthening execution discipline, deepening organizational cohesion, and ensuring that strategy is not only articulated at the top but co-created across the business.

Opening the retreat, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ayo Ojuroye, set the tone with a message centered on belief, ownership, and disciplined execution as the foundations of sustained market leadership. In his keynote remarks, Ojuroye emphasized that Bet9ja’s ambition extends beyond competition to making a measurable and positive impact within the industry and the communities it serves.

“Great companies are built on unshaken belief and exceptional execution. Bet9ja is not here to compete; we are here to make impact,” he said.

Mr. Ojuroye also highlighted a significant evolution in how strategy is being developed within the organization, pointing to a more inclusive, bottom-up approach that draws insights from teams closest to the business. According to him, this shift is designed to ensure that strategic plans are grounded in operational realities and informed by the practical experiences of staff across departments.

“True ownership does not happen when strategy is handed down; it happens when it is built together,” he added, underscoring the importance of collective responsibility in translating plans into results.

The Chairman of KC Gaming Networks Limited, Kunle Soname, OFR, also addressed participants, commending the leadership and wider workforce for the resilience and performance that have positioned the company for its next chapter. Soname framed the retreat as an opportunity not merely to reflect on past growth, but to consciously shape the direction and quality of future expansion.

“This is not a conversation about whether we have grown, but about how and in which direction we grow next,” he stated.

He stressed the importance of stepping away from the intensity of day-to-day operations to focus on long-term purpose, alignment, and strategic clarity. 

For Mr. Soname, the retreat represented a chance to rise above immediate operational pressures and concentrate on the broader horizon that will define Bet9ja’s role in an increasingly complex and regulated gaming landscape.

“Our purpose was to step back from the daily whirlwind, focus on the horizon, question our assumptions, and align on the few critical choices that will define our next chapter,” he noted.

Welcoming participants on behalf of the Strategy Committee, the Executive Director; Mr. Alberto Cuomo described the retreat as a defining transition point for the organization. He positioned 2026 as a year focused on building cohesion, sharpening clarity, and embedding disciplined execution across every level of the business.

“2026 is about building cohesion and clarity across the business and prioritizing disciplined execution. Over the course of the retreat, we will align priorities, test assumptions, and define what success looks like across the organization,” Mr. Cuomo said.

Throughout the four-day program, the retreat was carefully structured to encourage collaboration, open dialogue, and accountability across departments. Plenary sessions were complemented by breakout groups that allowed participants to explore specific strategic themes, share insights from their respective functions, and propose practical initiatives aligned with the company’s broader vision.

Key areas of focus included strengthening internal processes, enhancing customer experience, navigating an evolving regulatory environment, and leveraging technology and data to drive smarter decision-making. Participants were encouraged to think beyond short-term targets and consider how Bet9ja can continue to build trust, credibility, and value in a highly competitive and socially sensitive industry.

A recurring theme across discussions was the importance of shared ownership. Leaders emphasized that strategy should not exist as a document or a set of directives, but as a living framework that informs everyday actions across the organization. By fostering cross-functional dialogue, the retreat aimed to break down silos and ensure that teams understand not only what the company is trying to achieve, but why those goals matter.

The emphasis on accountability was equally pronounced. Participants were challenged to translate strategic priorities into clear, measurable actions, with defined responsibilities and timelines. This focus on execution discipline reflects the company’s recognition that strong ideas and ambitious plans only deliver value when they are consistently and effectively implemented.

Beyond internal alignment, the retreat also reaffirmed Bet9ja’s broader commitment to responsible growth and positive industry impact. As Nigeria’s gaming sector continues to expand and evolve, the company’s leadership acknowledged the importance of balancing commercial success with social responsibility, regulatory compliance, and community engagement.

These considerations were woven into strategic conversations, highlighting the role Bet9ja aims to play as a leader and standard-setter within the market.

Participants described the retreat as both reflective and forward-looking—a space to celebrate achievements while confronting challenges and uncertainties head-on. The open and candid nature of discussions was seen as a sign of organizational maturity and a willingness to adapt in a rapidly changing business environment.

As the retreat concluded, there was a shared sense of renewed purpose and clarity. Leaders left with a stronger alignment around the company’s strategic priorities and a deeper commitment to collective ownership of the path ahead. The outcomes of the four-day session are expected to inform operational plans, performance metrics, and leadership initiatives throughout 2026 and beyond.

By bringing together its leadership and key contributors in a focused and collaborative setting, KC Gaming Networks Limited has signaled its intent to move into the next phase of Bet9ja’s journey with confidence, discipline, and a clear sense of impact. In an industry defined by constant change, the retreat underscored the company’s belief that sustained success is built not only on market position, but on the strength of its people, the clarity of its purpose, and the consistency of its execution.