Young professionals and seasoned entrepreneurs gathered to explore innovative strategies for building resilient and profitable enterprises at the EDGE 2025 Conference, hosted by Junior Chamber International (JCI) Lekki Royale.
The event—Entrepreneurship Development and Growth Excellence (EDGE)—took place in a hybrid format, kicking off with a virtual session on May 9, 2025, followed by an in-person gathering on May 10. More than 700 people joined online, while over 400 participants were present at the physical venue. Themed “Building Resilient & Profitable Businesses: From Startup to Scale,” the two-day summit featured five power-packed sessions centered on leadership, financial intelligence, marketing innovation, and digital evolution.
JCI Lekki Royale’s President, Dr. Hassan Ismail, opened the event by emphasizing its transformative purpose. “EDGE is more than an event—it’s a movement designed to shift the way young entrepreneurs think. With the right mindset, resources, and education, we believe they can build enterprises that endure and flourish,” he said.
Renowned author and entrepreneur, Dr. Olumide Emmanuel, who heads the Common Sense Group, delivered a compelling keynote on the importance of financial education and principled leadership. “Chasing fads won’t build lasting businesses. Timeless principles do,” he asserted. He also stressed the value of consistency, mentorship, and long-term vision in achieving sustainable success.
Ayo-Bankole Akintujoye, CEO of Caladium Consulting, challenged attendees to carve unique paths in business. “True resilience comes from standing out, not blending in,” he advised, offering attendees tangible strategies to weather economic and operational storms.
Contributions from other notable speakers further enriched the event. JCI Senator Adetola Akinola emphasized the importance of structured systems over founder dependency. “Don’t make your business revolve around you—build systems that run independently,” she urged. Meanwhile, Senator Ibraheem Tiamiyu delved into customer engagement, highlighting that “a lasting first impression is critical to retaining customers.”
A highlight of the conference was the EDGE Business Pitch Competition, where ten finalists presented forward-thinking business models in fields like tech, fashion, food, and sustainability. Three entrepreneurs were awarded EDGE Business Seed Grants based on innovation, practicality, and projected impact.
The speaker lineup also included respected industry professionals: Mr. Kingsley Ifoga (General Manager, Baker Industries Ltd.), Mr. Bright UK Ukwenga (CEO, Scribe Tribe Africa), Mrs. Julie Obi (Founder, Djulies Place), Dr. Timothy Aluko (Director of 2025 Projects and Programmes), and Mr. Uche Ugbor (Group Managing Director, Ark Technologies Group).
Attendees commended the conference for its practical insights and real-world relevance. Many left with strategies they could immediately integrate into their businesses.
To sustain the momentum, organizers revealed plans for an EDGE Alumni Network, ongoing monthly webinars, and continuous support for standout participants. Preparations for EDGE 2026 are already in progress.
