VICM celebrates 25 years,unveils leadership conference
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Vision International Christian Ministry (VICM), Rev. Francis Olubambi, has emphasised the critical role of value-based leadership in building strong organisations and societies. Olubambi
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Vision International Christian Ministry (VICM), Rev. Francis Olubambi, has emphasised the critical role of value-based leadership in building strong organisations and societies.
Olubambi spoke during a press conference held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Vision International Christian Ministry and to announce the 2026 edition of its flagship Transformational Leadership Conference, scheduled to be held on March 19 at 158, Oregun Road, Ikeja, Lagos.
VICM is a non-profit leadership development consortium established to equip and empower leaders with practical, value-driven leadership tools that strengthen organisations, unlock the potential of people, and create lasting societal impact.
Speaking on the vision behind the organisation, Olubambi said VICM was founded in response to the growing realisation that the strength or weakness of any organisation is largely determined by the quality of its leadership.
“Whenever you see an organisation that is weak or struggling, it is often a reflection of the quality of leadership within that organisation,” he said.
According to him, the ministry emerged at a time when many sectors—religious institutions, businesses, and civil organisations—were experiencing rapid growth around the early 2000s. However, he noted that growth alone was not enough to guarantee sustainable progress.
“It became clear that sustainable progress requires more than expansion. It requires leaders who are grounded in values and committed to excellence,” he explained.
Olubambi said VICM’s core mission is to equip and empower leaders by increasing their leadership capacity and raising a generation committed to excellence and service.
The organisation achieves this through leadership conferences, training programmes, publications, consulting, and strategic partnerships with churches, institutions, and global leadership organisations.
“One of the key features of VICM’s work is collaboration with respected global leadership organisations,” he said, noting that the ministry partners with organisations within and outside Nigeria to deliver leadership development initiatives.
He added that the ministry also works with several churches and individuals across Nigeria in pursuit of its mission.
Over the past 25 years, Olubambi revealed that VICM has reached more than two million leaders across West and Central Africa, equipping an average of about 1,000 leaders annually through its programmes and conferences.
The anniversary celebration also coincides with the 2026 Transformational Leadership Conference, VICM’s flagship platform for leadership engagement and development.
Over the years, the conference has brought together experienced leaders, professionals, and emerging leaders to exchange ideas and promote a culture of excellence.
“This year’s conference will focus on the theme ‘Focused Leadership,’” Olubambi said. “In a world changing at a very fast pace, leaders must be focused and able to understand the times if their organisations are to survive and thrive.”
He noted that technological advancements and rapid global changes demand leaders who are disciplined, strategic, and forward-thinking.
The conference will feature a lineup of international and Nigerian faculty members, including David Chalmers (USA), Dr Sam Adeyemi, Dr Emmanuel Ighodalo, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, David Ashcraft, Greg Gresiel, and Rev. Francis Olubambi.
According to him, the conference is expected to attract over 1,000 physical participants, with many more joining virtually from different parts of the world.
In a move to give back to society as part of the 25th anniversary celebration, Olubambi announced that the conference would be free for participants this year.
“In previous years, attendees paid subsidised fees, but this year we decided to open the conference to everyone free of charge as a way of appreciating the support and partnership we have received over the years,” he said.
Looking ahead, Olubambi said VICM plans to deepen its impact by strengthening its four key pillars: the Vision Leadership Institute, publications, consulting services, and conferences and strategic events.
He also called for stronger collaboration with organisations and individuals who share the vision of promoting transformational leadership in Nigeria and beyond.
“Nigeria needs better leaders, and the world also needs leaders who understand the responsibility of leadership and are committed to making a difference,” he said.
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Olubambi urged leaders, professionals, and aspiring leaders to participate, noting that the event would provide an opportunity to learn from experienced global thought leaders in leadership development.
One of the speakers, the Director of Communication and Marketing, VICM, Opeyemi Shola-Michael, shared testimonies of individuals whose lives and communities were transformed after attending VICM leadership programmes.
She cited the example of a woman named Justina, who was affected by the Boko Haram crisis but later attended a leadership programme and was inspired to establish a school in northern Nigeria to support children who lacked access to education.
Another beneficiary, she said, launched an educational initiative focused on science and mathematics for young learners after participating in a VICM leadership programme.
Michael noted that the organisation has also influenced the growth of several churches and institutions across Nigeria and other African countries, including Mali, Senegal, Benin Republic, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire.
She reiterated VICM’s belief that leadership development is key to societal transformation.
“Everything gets better when leadership gets better,” she said.
