The Pan-Atlantic University Alumni Association (PAUAA) is set to host its 2026 International Alumni Conference on October 22 in Lagos, bringing together over 400 business leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, and alumni. The conference, themed “The Advantage: Connecting People, Ideas and Opportunities,” will explore how professional networks can drive enterprise, innovation, and economic growth. The event will take place at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) on Victoria Island.
The conference will feature distinguished guests, including Engr. George Olutope Onafowokan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Coleman Cables; Mrs Olajumoke Cecilia Ajaye, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of West African Exploration and Production Company (WEPC); and Professor Enase Okonedo, Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University. These guests are expected to contribute to discussions on turning alumni relationships into strategic partnerships, business opportunities, and sustainable economic value.
According to Dr Onyebuchi Odianjo, President of PAUAA, the conference aims to mobilize the university’s alumni network to create opportunities for individuals, businesses, and the wider economy. She emphasized that the value of an alumni community extends beyond reunions and informal networking, stressing the need for meaningful engagement, partnerships, and practical collaboration.
The full-day programme will include two plenary panel sessions examining enterprise development and alternative paths to professional fulfilment. The first session, “Built to Scale,” will explore strategies, challenges, and decisions involved in transforming business ideas into sustainable enterprises. Panellists will include Dr Peter Bamkole, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University; Mr Deji Lana, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Seamless Technologies; and Mrs Titilayo Oyinsan, broadcaster and media professional.
The second panel, “Beyond the Classroom: Alumni Who Redefined Success,” will examine how graduates have challenged conventional measures of achievement and pursued different routes to professional fulfilment. The panel will feature Mrs Rosemary Egabor-Afolahan, Director of Commercial and Communications at News Central TV; Dr Goodluck Lakinbofa, Public Relations Manager at MTN Nigeria; and Mr Salem King, content creator and digital educator.
In addition to panel discussions, the conference will feature a keynote address, interactive question-and-answer sessions, an alumni recognition segment, and networking opportunities. Organisers say the programme is designed to help participants exchange ideas, strengthen professional relationships, and explore collaborations that can translate shared knowledge and connections into tangible opportunities.
The conference is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and conclude with a networking cocktail. The Pan-Atlantic University Alumni Association seeks to sustain engagement among graduates while creating opportunities to advance leadership, innovation, and enterprise.
Key points
- The conference will feature over 400 business leaders, entrepreneurs, and academics.
- The event aims to explore how professional networks can drive enterprise, innovation, and economic growth.
- The conference will include panel discussions, a keynote address, and networking opportunities.
