ICF Nigeria to host leadership conference on coaching as new currency of influence
The International Coaching Federation Nigeria Charter Chapter has announced plans to convene business and policy leaders in Lagos for its flagship International Coaching Week (ICW) 2026 Conference, focusing on redefining
The International Coaching Federation Nigeria Charter Chapter has announced plans to convene business and policy leaders in Lagos for its flagship International Coaching Week (ICW) 2026 Conference, focusing on redefining leadership through influence rather than authority. The conference, scheduled for May 12 at The Civic Centre in Victoria Island, forms part of activities marking the global International Coaching Week 2026, a week-long initiative dedicated to advancing the coaching profession worldwide.
Organisers say this year’s theme, “From Authority to Influence: Coaching as a New Leadership Currency,” reflects a growing shift in corporate governance and executive management, where persuasion, trust-building, and adaptability are increasingly valued over hierarchical command structures. Headlining the event is Okechukwu Enelamah, Chairman of African Capital Alliance and former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who is expected to deliver the keynote address. He will speak on how coaching frameworks can improve leadership effectiveness, investment decisions, and organisational outcomes across African markets.
According to the organisers, the conference will attract C-suite executives, human resource professionals, certified coaches, and emerging leaders seeking to understand how coaching can be deployed as a strategic tool for performance and innovation.
Patrenia Werts Onuoha, Director of Marketing and Communications at ICF Nigeria, said the event is designed as a practical forum for leaders to reassess how they lead and make decisions in a rapidly evolving business environment. “Coaching is no longer optional. It has become a strategic lever for performance, helping organisations tackle leadership burnout, improve team engagement, and enhance decision-making quality,” she said.
The conference programme features a series of masterclasses addressing key leadership challenges, including the intersection of artificial intelligence and coaching, mental resilience in uncertain environments, scaling entrepreneurial ventures, and embedding coaching into corporate culture. Speakers include Emmanuel Michael of Eko Hotels & Suites, Sanyade Okoli, Special Adviser to the President on Finance and the Economy, Ted Theodore, a former Shell executive and managing partner at Ischus Consulting, and Ekhorose Ame-Ogie, a former Deloitte HR leader and vice president of ICF Nigeria.
Beyond technical sessions, participants are expected to engage in high-level networking with boardroom executives and industry leaders, focusing on translating coaching insights into measurable organisational impact. ICF Nigeria is also inviting corporate organisations to partner as sponsors, highlighting what it describes as a “Manager Nomination” model that provides post-conference coaching sessions and leadership training for selected participants.
Founded as the Nigerian chapter of the global International Coaching Federation, ICF Nigeria has grown to more than 120 members and will mark its 10th anniversary in 2025.
The parent body, established in 1995, has more than 60,000 members across over 160 countries and is widely regarded as a leading authority in professional coaching standards. Organisers say the Lagos conference is part of a broader global push during International Coaching Week, running from May 11 to 17, to deepen awareness of coaching and its role in shaping modern leadership and organisational success.
