The 2025 HR Conference and Excellence Awards, organised by HR Talent Hub and sponsored by MIVA Open University, has officially underscored the critical shift of Human Resources from an administrative function to a central strategic driver of organisational success and workforce transformation.
The two-day summit, according to a statement, brought together a prestigious gathering of HR leaders, industry experts, and global professionals to navigate the future of work and the expanding influence of HR in shaping business performance and organisational culture.
Setting the stage for the conference, the Founder and Lead Consultant of HR Talent Hub, Dr Omotola Dayo-Adedapo, highlighted the necessity for professionals to operate at the intersection of business goals and human capital.
“The conference theme, ‘HR – The Heart of Business Success: Driving Purpose, People, and Performance’, reflects the expanding responsibility of HR professionals to operate at the intersection of organisational purpose and measurable performance,” Dayo-Adedapo stated.
A standout moment of the event was the commitment to tangible career development. Moving beyond symbolic recognition, organisers awarded a N1,000,000 professional development cash grant, sponsored by MIVA Open University, to a deserving HR practitioner.
The recipient, Tijani Ogbuade, described the impact of the award during his acceptance speech: “I did not just win money; I have gained momentum. This support removes barriers to my career growth and gives me the confidence to pursue opportunities I have had to postpone. It is more than financial; it is a belief in the value of my development.”
The partnership with MIVA Open University was framed as a deliberate move to foster long-term professional capacity.
Dayo-Adedapo emphasised the broader objective behind the grant, noting, “This initiative goes beyond recognition. It is about unlocking potential and equipping HR professionals with the resources they need to lead with confidence and impact.”
Reinforcing this, the Vice Chancellor of MIVA Open University, Professor Tayo Arulogun, echoed the importance of strengthening the pipeline between academic learning and practical professional application.
In addition to the grant, the conference provided free professional headshots to 100 career professionals, a gesture that highlighted the modern necessity of personal branding and digital visibility in the evolving HR landscape.
As HRCEA 2025 concludes, the event has set a new benchmark for professional gatherings, shifting focus toward direct investments in human capital to ensure practitioners remain resilient in an increasingly competitive business environment.
