Tobi Olanihun Showcases Event Mastery at FEST Forums 2025 as TEPS Rides High on Global Acclaim

Renowned event professional and innovator, Tobi Olanihun, took center stage at FEST Forums 2025, where she joined an esteemed panel of global industry leaders to discuss the evolution of festivals as cultural touchpoints, community builders, and platforms for innovation. 

Drawing from her 14+ years of experience in event management, innovation, and tech, as well as guest and artist management, Olanihun explored how technology is transforming the event industry across Africa and the globe.

“Speaking at FEST Forums 2025 was an incredible opportunity to share insights on how festivals are evolving especially in Nigeria & Africa beyond entertainment to become cultural and technological powerhouses,” said Tobi Olanihun. “Lagos, in particular, has developed a unique festival culture with Detty December, a phenomenon that showcases the city’s dynamic energy and its role in connecting the African diaspora and beyond through unforgettable experiences.”

At FEST Forums 2025, Olanihun engaged in a thought-provoking discussion alongside top industry professionals, including John Giddings (Isle of Wight Festival), Hamish Pinkham (Rhythm and Vines), Nick Morgan (We Group), Stephen Budd (OneFest Festival), and John Boyle. The conversations highlighted various locational nuances across different continents, learnings over the years and touched on  how technology and innovation are reshaping the festival experience.

Beyond her industry contributions, Olanihun is also the Founder of TEPS, an African event technology startup that has been making waves on the global stage. TEPS’ momentum continues following its impressive performance at Event Tech Live (ETL) Las Vegas 2024, where the company secured a bronze medal in the Live Launchpad Startup Competition. Competing against top-tier event tech startups worldwide, TEPS stood out with its revolutionary all-in-one event management platform,designed to streamline event planning with features such as registration, ticketing, email communication, gamification, and real-time feedback tools.

“Winning bronze at ETL Las Vegas 2024 was a defining moment, not just for TEPS but for African event technology as a whole,” said Olanihun. “Being the only African startup recognized on that stage highlights the continent’s growing presence in the global event tech space and reinforces our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions.”

TEPS’ success reflects the potential of African tech startups to compete on a global scale, drive innovation, and forge meaningful partnerships. As Olanihun continues to champion innovation in the industry, TEPS remains dedicated to shaping the future of event technology and fostering impactful connections worldwide.