The 10th FATE Business Conference
The FATE Annual Alumni Conference is a premier platform that brings together a dynamic community of alumni entrepreneurs, industry experts, and thought leaders to inspire, educate, and connect. Since its inception in 2016, the conference has remained committed to fostering business excellence through exposure to cutting-edge insights, actionable strategies, and high-impact networking.
Event Highlight
Keynote Sessions
Panel Sessions
Exhibition
Annual General Meeting
Pitch Competition
Event Details
Date
Friday, September 26, 2025
Time
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Venue
Balmoral Convention Center, 6-8 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos
Theme
The AI- Powered Business: Innovate. Automate. Accelerate.
As artificial intelligence reshapes the global business landscape, this year’s event will explore how entrepreneurs can harness AI to fuel innovation, streamline operations, and accelerate growth.
Through rich conversations, practical sessions, and visionary talks, participants will uncover how AI can be a transformative tool across various business functions; from customer experience to supply chain management.
Theme
The AI- Powered Business: Innovate. Automate. Accelerate.
As artificial intelligence reshapes the global business landscape, this year’s event will explore how entrepreneurs can harness AI to fuel innovation, streamline operations, and accelerate growth.
Through rich conversations, practical sessions, and visionary talks, participants will uncover how AI can be a transformative tool across various business functions; from customer experience to supply chain management.
Speakers
Kofo Akinkugbe, OON, is one of Africa’s most accomplished technology entrepreneurs and a respected voice in manufacturing innovation and digital security. As the Founder and Group CEO of SecureID Group, she leads a globally certified smartcard and digital solutions company that serves clients across 21 African countries in banking, telecoms, identity management, and transportation. Under her leadership, SecureID established Sub-Saharan Africa’s first smartcard production facility certified by MasterCard, VISA, Verve, ISO 9001, GSMA, GH-Link, GIMAC, and CQM. The Group also consists of 2 other subsidiaries – SID Digital, the fintech division, and Transport Payment Solutions (TPS), the transport solutions arm.
Mrs. Akinkugbe is a prize-winning graduate of Mathematics from the University of Lagos and a Chevening Scholar (MBA) Strathclyde Business School, Glasgow-UK. She has attended several international leadership and personal development programs and is an Alumnus of Harvard Business School (Owner/President Management - OPM).
In 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria in its continuous drive to appreciate and encourage high productivity, hard work and excellence among Nigerian entrepreneurs awarded Mrs. Kofo Akinkugbe the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) award during the 19th National Production Day (NPD) in Abuja. On October 2022, Mrs. Akinkugbe was conferred with Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), at Nigeria’s National Honors Awards Investiture, by His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in recognition of her tremendous contribution to the nation’s manufacturing and digital payment industry. In addition to these national recognitions, Mrs Kofo Akinkugbe sits on the board of several local and multinational corporate, philanthropic and humanitarian organizations alongside her role as wife and mother of two inspiring young women.
Sonny Iroche
CEO, GENAI Learning Concepts Limited
Adedeji Olowe
Founder, Lendsqr
Bode Abifarin
Founder & CEO of Strata
Matthew Wallace
Co-founder & CEO, ONOW Ascent Inc
Feyisayo Alayande
Executive Secretary/C.E.O Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF)
Prof. Obadare Peter Adewale
Founder & CVO, Digital Encode Ltd
Dr. Orlando Olumide Odejide
CEO, Training Heights
Feyisayo Alayande is the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF),
where she leads the Executive Management Team in achieving the Fund's strategic objectives.
With over 16 years of experience in global banking and financial services, she has specialized in business strategy, transformation, and product development across investment and retail banking in Europe and Africa. She has worked with major financial institutions like HSBC Global
Banking & Markets, Royal Bank of Scotland, and FBNQuest, managing large-scale strategic programs that enhanced business processes and drove technology-led transformations globally.
Prior to joining LSETF, Feyisayo was the Head of Products, Digital, and Marketing at Letshego Nigeria, an inclusive finance bank. There, she led the development and rollout of financial
products and programs that expanded access to capital for Nigerian SMEs and individuals across key sectors such as trade, agriculture, education, energy, health, and housing. She also
leveraged technology and strategic partnerships with private and public organizations, including local and global development agencies, to enhance financial inclusion and economic
growth.
She holds a Master’s in Management from Imperial College Business School and a Business Economics degree from the University of Reading. Her expertise spans sustainable finance, microfinance, project management, and investment management, which she applies to drive innovation, efficiency, and impact in economic development initiatives.
Her leadership at LSETF focuses on not just providing financial support but also ensuring that businesses and individuals have the necessary infrastructure, access to market, and skills development to thrive. She is committed to driving economic empowerment, job creation, and sustainable development in Lagos State by equipping residents with the right resources, networks, and opportunities to succeed.
Oluchi Johnson-Achibiri
Digital & Innovation Manager
Adenike Adeyemi
Executive Director
FATE Foundation
Toyin Bakare
President
FATE Alumni Executive Committee
Dipo Davies
Founder
Realhouse Communications Limited
Bambo Adebowale
Dean & Director The FATE School
Oluwaseun Oshoniyi
Senior Programs Manager & Head Growth & Alumni Services
Lateefat Fadahunsi
Founder/MD Tquartbrand Ltd
Nifemi Oguntoye
Broadcast Journalist and Compere
Tolulope Akinyele
Senior Industry Manager, Google
Tolulope Akinyele
Senior Industry Manager, Google
A digital leader with over 12 years at Google, Tolu's career has been dedicated to empowering businesses across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). She has led high-impact innovations, including the "Get Nigerian Businesses Online" initiative and the "Advanced Learning Labs."
Tolu has also been directly responsible for bringing thousands of small and medium-sized businesses online and has trained numerous agencies to succeed in the digital economy. As a recognized thought leader and mentor, her expertise spans digital transformation, go-to-market strategy, and active consulting for the African market.
Sponsors
Partners
