The Lagos Business School has announced plans for the 2026 edition of its International Family Business Conference, an annual event designed to strengthen governance, sustainability, and long-term growth among family-owned businesses across Africa.
The conference is organized by the Lagos Business School Family Business Initiative, a programme dedicated to supporting family enterprises through research, education, and strategic engagement.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the 2026 International Family Business Conference, widely known as IFBC, is scheduled to hold on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Lagos.
The event is expected to bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, and policymakers to discuss strategies that can help family-owned businesses remain competitive and sustainable across generations.
Director of the Lagos Business School Family Business Initiative, Dr. Okey Nwuke, announces the conference during a press briefing in Lagos, describing the platform as part of a long-term vision to shape the future of family enterprises in Africa.
According to Mediaplusng.com, Dr. Nwuke explains that the International Family Business Conference is designed to address common challenges faced by family-run businesses, including governance structures, succession planning, and institutional development.
He notes that many successful African businesses are family-owned, yet a significant number struggle to transition effectively from one generation of leadership to another.
The 2026 edition of the conference carries the theme “Beyond Survival: Governance and Culture as the Foundation of Lasting Family Legacies.”
Organizers say the theme reflects the growing need for African family businesses to move beyond short-term survival strategies and adopt structures that promote long-term stability and institutional strength.
Industry experts explain that strong governance systems, clear succession plans, and professional management frameworks are essential for family businesses seeking longevity.
The conference will feature a lineup of experienced speakers and industry experts who will provide insights on navigating the evolving business environment in Africa.
The Founder and Chairman of Channels Media Group, Dr. John Momoh, will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2026 conference.
According to Mediaplusng.com, discussions at the event will focus on governance systems, leadership succession, corporate culture, and the evolving dynamics of family enterprises across the African continent.
Participants will also explore strategies for balancing family values with modern corporate governance practices.
Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Lagos Business School Family Business Initiative, Rasheed Sarumi, also speaks during the press briefing.
He emphasizes the significant economic contributions made by family-owned businesses to Nigeria’s economy and the broader African market.
Sarumi notes that many small and medium-scale enterprises in Nigeria are founded and managed by families, making them key drivers of employment, innovation, and economic growth.
However, he explains that without proper governance structures and succession planning, many of these businesses struggle to survive beyond the founding generation.
Experts say that globally, family businesses account for a large share of private sector economic activity.
In Africa, they are particularly influential, operating across sectors such as manufacturing, retail, agriculture, hospitality, and financial services.
Despite their economic importance, family businesses often face structural challenges that can hinder their long-term sustainability.
The International Family Business Conference aims to address some of these issues by creating a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among entrepreneurs, academics, and policymakers.
According to Mediaplusng.com, organizers say the annual conference will highlight practical solutions to governance gaps, succession challenges, cultural mismatches, and the lack of professional management systems in many family enterprises.
Participants are expected to engage in panel discussions, networking sessions, and knowledge-sharing forums designed to equip business owners with tools for long-term success.
Analysts say initiatives such as the International Family Business Conference are important for strengthening entrepreneurship across the continent.
By promoting governance best practices and encouraging strategic planning, such platforms can help family-owned companies evolve into enduring institutions.
Business experts also point out that sustainable family enterprises contribute significantly to economic development by creating jobs, building wealth, and supporting community development.
For Lagos Business School, the conference forms part of a broader commitment to supporting business leadership and economic transformation in Africa.
The institution has long played a role in executive education, entrepreneurship development, and research aimed at strengthening Africa’s private sector.
Through the Family Business Initiative, Lagos Business School continues to provide advisory services, training programmes, and research insights for family-owned enterprises.
Organizers say the upcoming conference will further deepen conversations on the future of African businesses in an increasingly competitive global economy.
As preparations continue for the 2026 International Family Business Conference, stakeholders within the business community are expected to participate actively in discussions aimed at shaping the future of family enterprises in Nigeria and beyond.
For many entrepreneurs and business leaders, the conference represents an opportunity to learn from industry experts while building networks that can support long-term growth and sustainability.
Ultimately, the Lagos Business School hopes the initiative will help ensure that African family businesses not only survive but also thrive across generations, contributing meaningfully to economic development across the continent.
