NeoLife, a global nutrition and wellness direct-selling company, has announced a fully sponsored leadership and business development trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, for 40 of its top Nigerian distributors, underscoring its commitment to building leadership capacity within its network.
The event, part of the company’s long-standing Presidential Pursuit programme, is scheduled for February 12, 2026, and will span four nights and three days of immersive training, networking, and lifestyle experiences designed to sharpen participants’ business skills and expand their global exposure.
NeoLife’s Vice President, Field Development, West Africa, Olusanmi Asalu, described Presidential Pursuit as a structured initiative that blends performance recognition with leadership development.
“Presidential Pursuit is not just a reward trip,” Asalu said. “It equips our leaders with the tools, mindset, and techniques they need to build sustainable businesses and aspire to the presidency rank within NeoLife,” the executive said in an interview with The PUNCH.
The programme originated about 15 years ago as Ruby Director Orientation, aimed at providing deeper business training to distributors who reached a certain performance level. Recognising the need for a broader leadership focus, the company rebranded the initiative to Presidential Pursuit about three years ago, reflecting its aspiration-driven purpose.
Participants do not pay for the trip; NeoLife sponsors travel, accommodation, and all programme activities, reaffirming that eligibility is strictly performance-based.
“It’s about consistency, performance, and hard work,” Asalu said. To qualify, distributors must attain the rank of Ruby Director by personally developing three directors and accumulating 20,000 points, repeated three times within six months.
Beyond classroom-style sessions on leadership and business strategy, participants will engage with peers and top NeoLife leaders, fostering relationships and sharing insights. The itinerary also includes visits to iconic Johannesburg landmarks such as Mandela Square and Gold Reef City, blending cultural exposure with entertainment and team building.
In previous editions, the programme has taken Nigerian distributors to destinations such as the Cradle of Humankind, a major archaeological and heritage site, further reflecting the company’s focus on educational experience alongside professional development.
The Johannesburg trip comes as NeoLife recorded significant growth in Nigeria in 2025, paying out a total of N31bn to its distributors, up from N18bn the previous year. The payout, disclosed at the company’s annual RISE meeting in Lagos, was highlighted by Asalu as evidence of expanding business scale and increasing distributor earnings capacity in the Nigerian market.
At the RISE event, Asalu emphasised ethical business growth and long-term focus, saying sustainable success depends on integrity and compliance with company standards.
While direct-selling models sometimes draw scepticism, particularly in Nigeria’s competitive entrepreneurial landscape, NeoLife points to its longevity – more than 25 years in Nigeria and over 66 years globally – as a testament to its stability and ethical foundation.
“We reward hard work and consistency,” Asalu said. “When you build honestly and correctly, the benefits go beyond money.” The company also runs other incentive programmes throughout the year, including working vacations and elite experiences for top performers.
“As participants return from Johannesburg, our hope is that they carry not just memories but renewed confidence, skills, and clarity of purpose,” Asalu said. “Presidential Pursuit shows that if the company can take you this far for free, there’s so much more ahead if you keep building; the possibilities are enormous.”
NeoLife operates in Nigeria under regulated conditions, importing products legally, paying duties and taxes, and ensuring all offerings are registered with relevant bodies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
