The Investment Society (TIS), University of Lagos (UNILAG) commemorated its 10th Annual Colloquium with a high-level gathering of industry leaders, financial experts, policymakers, academics, and students.
Discussions centred on the future of Nigeria’s financial markets, renewable energy sector, and infrastructure development.
Held under the theme “Unlocking a New Era: The Future of Nigerian Financial Markets, Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Development”, the 2026 Colloquium which held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at the J.F. Ade Ajayi (Main Auditorium) of UNILAG, provided a platform for robust intellectual engagement and professional development. It fostered critical conversations on finance, technology, creativity, and sustainable development in Africa.
Keynote Addresses:
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Kola Adesina, (Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group and Board Chairman, AXA Mansard), represented by Mr. Jeromi Abuda, Head of Information Technology, Sahara Energy, emphasized the need for a national renaissance driven by innovation, investment, and strategic thinking across the financial, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
In her presentation, Mrs. Nneka Enwereji, (Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Citibank Nigeria Limited and Country Officer & Banking Head for Nigeria and Ghana), highlighted vast investment opportunities in Nigeria’s economy and urged young Nigerians to adopt a solution-oriented mindset and leverage emerging opportunities instead of what she described as a defeatist outlook that fuels migration.
Goodwill Messages
In a recorded goodwill message, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, congratulated TIS on the successful 10th edition. She commended the Society for sustaining a decade-long tradition of promoting financial literacy, leadership, and professional development among students.
Mr. Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), who served as Father of the Day, described the colloquium as a vital platform for intellectual exchange on current realities and future prospects of finance and investment in Nigeria. He urged students to position themselves strategically to take advantage of opportunities in the Nigerian financial and capital markets.
Panel Sessions;
The colloquium featured three panel sessions examining critical issues shaping Nigeria’s economic future:
1. Capital in Motion: Currency Reform, Global Interest Shifts and the New Playbook for African Markets
This session explored evolving investment trends and implications of global economic developments for African financial markets.
Panelists: Olusola Carrena, (Managing Director, Nigeria, Helios Investment Partners); Bimbo Oyetiga, (Head, Corporate Finance, Rand Merchant Bank, Nigeria & West Africa); James Ilori, (CEO, FCMB Asset Management); Razaq Ahmed, (CEO & Co-founder, Cowrywise and President, CFA Society Nigeria); Elile Olutimayin, (Group Executive Director & Head of Asset Management, CardinalStone Partners).
2. Building the Next Economy: Digital Frontiers, Infrastructure Networks and Human Capital as Nigeria’s Growth Catalysts
This session focused on innovation, infrastructure, and talent development as drivers of sustainable growth.
Speakers: Chido Oyilimba, (Head, Origination & Structuring, InfraCredit), Odunayo Ojo, (CEO, UPDC Plc); Ada Onanuga, (Executive Director, Business Development, ACUOP); Ifueko Oduekun, (Associate Vice President, Treasury & Funding, Africa Finance Corporation).
3. Powering a Resilient Future: Energy Security, Transition Pathways and Nigeria’s Industrial Ambition
This session examined strategies for energy security while advancing Nigeria’s industrial and economic aspirations.
Panelists: Jide Pratt, (Country Manager, TradeGrid & COO, AIONA), Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, (CEO, Energy Inc. Advisors), Yemi Osinubi (former Group CFO, Levene Energy Holdings), Mojisola Iyamabo, (Chief of Staff to the MD/CEO, Aradel Holdings).
TIS @ 10 Celebrations
Beyond intellectual engagements, the event featured entertainment performances and special awards celebrating TIS @ 10. The awards recognised individuals and organisations whose contributions have supported the Society’s growth over the past decade.
The colloquium reinforced TIS’s commitment to fostering informed discourse, nurturing future leaders, and contributing meaningfully to conversations on Nigeria’s economic transformation and sustainable development.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photograph: Ayo Oloyede
