The need for Nigeria to prepare its businesses and workforce for a rapidly changing global economy took centre stage at Investors Connect London 2026, where business leaders, investors, policymakers and members of the Nigerian and wider African diaspora called for a more practical and inclusive approach to economic development.
Held at Imperial College London on Thursday, September 10, 2026, the event was convened by Engr. Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vivacity Development, in collaboration with its UK partner, Codub Consulting Ltd.
The gathering brought together investors, entrepreneurs, development professionals, business leaders and policymakers for discussions focused on investment, enterprise development, innovation, global partnerships and the future of work.
At the heart of the discussions was a central question: how can Nigeria prepare its people and businesses for the opportunities and disruptions that will define the global economy in the years ahead?
For Areola, the answer must extend beyond emerging technologies and venture-backed startups to include the businesses that already employ Nigerians and sustain economic activity across the country.
In her opening remarks, she argued that the future-of-work conversation must take into account the critical role played by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which account for a significant share of employment and livelihoods in Nigeria.
“If we are serious about building the future of work for Nigerians, then we must invest in the businesses employing Nigerians,” she said.
Areola also pointed to the speed at which other countries are reshaping their education and skills systems in response to changing economic realities.
She referenced China's significant restructuring of university courses as an example of how economies are adapting their human-capital strategies to meet emerging demands, stressing that Nigeria must similarly rethink how it prepares its workforce for future jobs and opportunities.
She said this philosophy underpins Investors Connect, which seeks to bring capital, enterprise, expertise, policy and international networks together around practical opportunities for business growth.
From Remittances to Investment
Chidi Umeano, Principal Consultant at Codub Consulting Ltd., urged stakeholders to rethink the way Nigeria engages with its diaspora.
He argued that the contribution of Nigerians abroad should not be measured primarily through remittances, but should also encompass investment capital, technical expertise, mentorship, professional networks and access to international markets.
The argument reflected one of the broader themes of the conference: the need to build stronger bridges between Nigerian businesses and the global networks in which members of the diaspora operate.
Dare: Build Institutions, Not Just Businesses
Following the opening session, Dr. Sunday Akin Dare, Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria on Public Communications and Orientation, delivered a keynote address titled “The Strategic Bridge.”
Dare challenged entrepreneurs to look beyond the immediate objective of raising capital, urging them instead to build institutions capable of sustaining growth beyond the founders who created them.
He identified people, technology, governance, systems, infrastructure, regulatory certainty and strategic partnerships as critical components of genuine scalability.
According to him, having a large market or an ambitious business idea does not automatically translate into a scalable enterprise.
Drawing on his experience in government and the communications sector, Dare also stressed the importance of understanding local market realities when developing businesses with international ambitions.
He urged entrepreneurs to distinguish between market reach and genuine scalability, noting that strategic partnerships and institutional alignment can provide businesses with access to capabilities, infrastructure and markets that might otherwise be difficult or expensive to develop independently.
Beyond Technology: New Sectors, New Opportunities
The programme subsequently shifted attention to sectors capable of influencing Nigeria's employment landscape and economic growth.
Discussions examined financing opportunities in technology, healthcare and other innovation-driven sectors before expanding into the sports and creative economies, agritech and sustainable labour mobility.
The second sector-focused panel was moderated by Toyosi Olosunde, Founder and Host, and featured H.E. Benedict Ogboyega, former Deputy Governor and Business Development Consultant; Dr. Jermaine Sanwoolu, Executive Secretary; and Nimata Umar, Legal Practitioner and Governance Consultant.
The panel emphasised the breadth of Nigeria's economic potential and the need for investors to look beyond conventional technology investments when considering employment creation, enterprise development and long-term economic growth.
What Makes a Business Investment-Ready?
A significant part of the programme focused on a challenge faced by many growing businesses: the difference between having a promising idea and building an enterprise capable of receiving, deploying and accounting for investment effectively.
During the session titled “Golden Nuggets — The Architecture of an Investment-Ready Startup,” business strategist Evelyn Esumai moderated a conversation featuring Dr. Lanre Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of LP Consults.
The discussion examined the foundations required to make businesses attractive to serious investors, including corporate governance, financial discipline, credible leadership, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, appropriate business structures and clearly defined growth strategies.
The speakers stressed that investment readiness requires more than a compelling pitch. Businesses must demonstrate the systems, accountability and strategic clarity necessary to convert capital into sustainable growth.
Governance Takes Centre Stage
The importance of governance was further explored during a fireside chat titled “The Governance Imperative.”
Moderated by Ebaide Omiunu, Founder, the session featured Tom Cracknell, Founder of Koyo Health, who shared insights into the role of effective governance and leadership structures in supporting sustainable business growth.
The discussion reinforced the idea that strong governance is not merely a compliance requirement but an essential component of building businesses capable of attracting investment and surviving beyond individual founders.
Taking African Businesses to Global Markets
Another major discussion explored how African businesses can improve their access to international markets, global partnerships, liquidity and potential exit opportunities.
The session, moderated by Agnes Gitau, Executive Director for the EU and UK, featured Dr. Femi Joshua, Founder and CEO; Iorwa Apera, Chief Executive Officer; Jadesola Falode, Senior Risk and Compliance Lead; and Miebaka Nyanabo, Communications Strategist.
The panel examined the relationships, structures and strategic considerations businesses need as they transition from local operations to participation in global markets.
Participants highlighted the importance of international networks, strategic partnerships, risk management and commercially sustainable growth pathways for businesses seeking to expand beyond their domestic markets.
From Conversation to Action
As the programme drew to a close, Areola and Umeano challenged participants to turn the relationships and ideas generated during the event into tangible outcomes.
Investors were encouraged to identify businesses for further engagement, while founders were urged to determine the steps required to improve their investment readiness.
Experienced professionals and diaspora stakeholders were similarly encouraged to deploy their expertise, networks and capital more strategically in support of Nigerian businesses.
For Areola, the ultimate measure of Investors Connect should not be the number of people who attend, but what happens after the event.
She said success should be reflected in the investments made, partnerships established, businesses supported, markets entered and jobs created through relationships developed on the platform.
“Potential becomes progress when the right people, the right ideas and the right capital connect,” she said.
Ebaide Omiunu served as compere for the event, helping to maintain the flow and energy of the programme throughout the day.
Building a UK–Nigeria Business Bridge
Investors Connect London is part of Vivacity Development's broader international programme focused on investment, inclusive growth, enterprise development and the future of work.
Through its collaboration with Codub Consulting Ltd., the organisation is seeking to strengthen the UK–Nigeria business corridor by creating opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs and businesses to access international capital, expertise, markets and strategic partnerships.
The platform is designed to go beyond conventional networking by creating a practical bridge between businesses seeking to scale and the investors, institutions, professionals and international networks capable of supporting that growth.
The next phase of the initiative is expected to focus on sustaining relationships established in London, building a stronger pipeline of investment-ready businesses and facilitating deeper connections among entrepreneurs, investors, mentors and international partners.
The initiative forms part of Vivacity Development's wider international engagement around investment, inclusive growth, enterprise development and the future of work, with further engagements planned across global business, policy and development platforms.
Following the London gathering, Vivacity Development's international programme continues in New York on September 21, 2026, with its UNGA side event focusing on work, innovation and opportunity, as well as the need to prepare the next generation for participation in the global economy.