LBS to Host 2026 Intern’l Family Business Conference

Williams Dare

Lagos Business School’s Family Business Initiative has announced the 2026 International Family Business Conference (IFBC), to be held on March 26 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The conference will focus on strengthening the sustainability and governance of African family-owned businesses, which account for over 80 per cent of private companies and are key drivers of jobs and community development across the continent.

Director of the LBS Family Business Initiative, Dr. Okey Nwuke, stated that the IFBC is part of a long-term strategic plan to shape the future of family businesses across Africa, addressing challenges such as governance gaps, succession issues, and cultural mismatches.

He noted that many family businesses fail to survive across generations due to weak governance structures and poor succession planning.

The 2026 conference theme, “Beyond Survival: Governance & Culture as the Foundation of Lasting Family Legacies,” focuses on core behaviors, discipline, and shared values that turn governance frameworks into living practices.

“We believe that the fortune of family businesses determines the fortune and prosperity of countries, and if you don’t make that discussion, the countries, Nigeria in particular, will be losing a lot,” Dr Nwuke stated.

Keynote speaker, Mr. John Momoh (OON), Founder and Chairman of Channels Media Group, will share insights on ethical leadership, strong governance, and institution-building. Other notable speakers include Mr. Kunle Elebute, Barr. Bernadette Eyisi, and Mrs. Toyin Bakare, among others.

On his part, Rasheed Sarumi, Chairman, Advisory Board of the LBS Family Business Initiative, emphasised the crucial role family businesses play in driving Nigeria’s economic growth and poverty reduction.

Sarumi noted that family businesses are predominantly owned and run by families, citing examples of successful billionaires and entrepreneurs on the Forbes list who have built their empires through family-owned enterprises.

Sarumi stressed that sustained family businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, are vital to the economy, as they contribute to growth, productivity, and prosperity.

He highlighted the LBS Family Business Advisory Council’s advocacy efforts, which aim to promote the interests of family businesses and amplify their impact on the economy.

“We stand for family business, because it is a crowd to prosperity,” Sarumi said, urging stakeholders to support the initiative.

Sarumi called for a shift in focus from mere survival to sustainable growth and prosperity, saying, “Not even for survival, it should let them thrive.” He encouraged all stakeholders to join the conversation and support the development of family businesses in Nigeria.

The conference is expected to enrich discussions on governance, succession, and the changing landscape of African family businesses. LBS has also announced a comprehensive calendar of family business programs for 2026, including webinars, seminars, and intensive programs aimed at providing practical insights for family members and non-family executives.