The Lagos Business School has moved to address governance gaps, succession challenges, and other structural issues affecting family-owned enterprises in Africa, with an upcoming gathering of business leaders and experts at the 2026 International Family Business Conference.
The summit, organised by the Family Business Initiative of Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, will be held on Thursday, 26 March 2026, at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, the Director of the LBS Family Business Initiative, Dr Okey Nwuke, said the conference forms part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the sustainability and governance of family-owned businesses across the continent.
“Family-owned enterprises make up over 80 per cent of private companies in Africa and play a vital role in employment and community development.
However, many of them still face governance gaps, succession issues, cultural mismatches, and the lack of professionalised systems. The conference is designed not just as an annual event but as part of a long-term, strategic plan to shape the future of family businesses across Africa,” Nwuke said.
He noted that the 2026 edition will focus on strengthening governance structures and corporate culture as foundations for enduring family business legacies.
He said, “The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Beyond Survival: Governance & Culture as the Foundation of Lasting Family Legacies.’ The focus is on the core behaviours, discipline, and shared values that turn governance frameworks into living practices.”
Nwuke explained that the conference themes had evolved deliberately over the years to address different stages of family business development.
“In 2024, the conference focused on ‘From Family Enterprise to Family Institution: Climbing the Longevity Ladder’, which emphasised institutional thinking. In 2025, the theme shifted to ‘Preparing the Next Generation for Stewardship: Building a Lasting Legacy’, which stressed successor readiness and leadership transition,” he said.
He added that the conference would feature the Founder and Chairman of Channels Media Group, John Momoh, as keynote speaker.
The LBS director added that Momoh’s career reflects strong governance, ethical leadership, and institution-building, which are critical to the long-term success of family-owned enterprises.
Other speakers expected at the conference include Mr Kunle Elebute, Barr. Bernadette Eyisi, Mrs Toyin Bakare, Engr Alfred Okoigun, Mrs Kemi Ojenike, Dr Belinda Nwosu, Mazi Okechukwu Ikoro, Ms Kenechi Chidolue, Mr A.U. Mustapha (SAN), and Mr Mahmud Tukur.
Nwuke also called on the media to continue highlighting the role of family businesses in economic development across the continent.
“The stories journalists choose to feature, about resilience, conflict resolution, innovation, continuity, and transformation, directly impact policy discussions, societal views, and intergenerational trust,” he said.
Beyond the conference, the school also announced a series of programmes to strengthen the management of family businesses.
These include a series of topical webinars; a three-day seminar in May 2026 titled ‘Managing a Family Business to Last Beyond Its Founders’; and two intensive programmes on ‘Governance and Succession in Family Business’ scheduled for June and October.
The institution said the programmes are designed to provide practical insights for both family members and professional managers working within family-owned enterprises.
LBS added that its Family Business Initiative would continue to provide research-based insights, advisory services, and educational programmes to support the professionalisation and institutionalisation of family businesses across Africa.
