TEDxPAU 2024 brought together some of the brightest minds and boldest voices on November 16th at the Honeywell Auditorium, Lagos Business School. With over 500 attendees eager to explore new possibilities, the event’s theme, ‘Shaping the Future,’ set the tone for a day filled with inspiration, reflection, and transformative ideas.

The day opened with a TED talk by TED founder Chris Anderson, followed by welcome remarks from the Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, Prof. Enase Okonedo. She encouraged the audience to embrace the theme, saying, “The future is now, and it is up to all of us to join hands to shape tomorrow.”

The sessions featured inspiring talks from visionaries like Akose Enebeli, who emphasized sustainable urban living by “building upwards instead of outwards,” and Goodnews Igwe, who stressed that creating value is key to success.

Temitope Runsewe championed Africa’s family values as a foundation for economic recovery, describing family businesses as “the future of Nigeria.” Prof. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN, advocated for affordable education to drive literacy and digital skills, while Michael Oluwagbemi sparked intrigue with his bold statement that “CNG is the new garri,” promoting energy innovation.

Ziad Maalouf shared leadership insights, underscoring personal growth as the key to scaling success.

Adesuwa Ifedi, Senior Vice President at Heifer International, spoke about the significance of scaling innovation from the inside out, urging organizations to embrace change-driven solutions. Dr. Peter Bamkole, Deputy Vice Chancellor of PAU, described entrepreneurship as “a catalyst for systemic change,” calling for the transformation of problems into solutions with far-reaching impact.

Dr. Cosmas Maduka, who shared his journey from adversity to global success, inspired the audience to embrace their gifts and believe in limitless possibilities.

The event ended with a fireside chat between TEDxPAU organizer Bella Victor and Dr. Maduka, who spoke about the importance of legacy and purpose. He encouraged attendees to see themselves as part of Nigeria’s solution and to embrace both the challenges and triumphs of the country’s journey.

Beyond the talks, TEDxPAU 2024 captivated attendees with musical performances, a spoken word piece, and a high-energy dance performance by different talents from the university.

The event also recognized its sponsors and volunteers, thanking them for their critical role in making the day a success.

In his closing remarks, Bella Victor expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating: “TEDxPAU was founded with the goal of giving back to this incredible school and creating a 360-degree impact—supporting our students, raising awareness for our school, and giving innovators a platform to reach a global audience. It’s inspiring to see how this event has grown and how each of you have played a part in that mission today. I thank our speakers, sponsors, volunteers, and every attendee who believed in this vision. Together, we are shaping the future.”

Attendees also enjoyed networking opportunities during breaks, sponsor exhibitions, and a private lunch for VIP ticket holders, who engaged in deeper conversations with the speakers about shaping tomorrow.

TEDxPAU 2024 once again reaffirmed its commitment to “ideas worth spreading” and left attendees inspired to take action. For recordings of the event and updates on future editions, stay tuned.