By Josephine Agbonkhese

The China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) Nigeria Alumni Chapter celebrated a milestone evening last weekend in Lagos, inducting new members, launching its official alumni website, and announcing the expansion of its flagship Women Entrepreneurship and Leadership for Africa (WELA) programme to Abuja.

The event, held in Lagos, drew business leaders, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and alumni from across Nigeria.

Chapter President, Mrs. Omoyemi Chukwurah, described the newly-launched website platform as a game-changer for connectivity and collaboration.

“It is not just a website,” she said. “Each member can create a detailed profile, showcase their business, and share achievements. When someone is looking for a specific service or partner, they can easily search and find the right alumni.”

“The portal also streamlines membership functions such as dues payment, direct messaging, event updates, and community announcements, positioning it as a comprehensive one-stop resource. With growing Chinese investment in Nigeria, the timing of the launch is particularly strategic for facilitating partnerships,” she added.

Speaking, CEIBS Africa Country Manager, Sa’id Adewale Mohammed, confirmed that the WELA programme will now run in Abuja for the first time, while also emphasising CEIBS’ importance in today’s global economy.

Executive Director of CEIBS Africa, Prof. Gordon Kwesi Adomdza, in his address, urged African business leaders to broaden their perspective beyond the traditional Western lens.

“Many now agree that to see the future, you must look to China,” he said. He highlighted Chinese companies’ rapid breakthroughs in technology, business models, and innovation, stressing the need for African managers to understand these developments so they can negotiate and build on their own terms.

The event featured the formal induction of ten accomplished women from various sectors into the WELA 2025 cohort.

The event also featured the presentation of awards to outstanding individuals. Itohan Asibor was named Best Graduating Student, while Nkechi Oji received the Worthy Ambassador Award. Okuntola Abisola and Adeyemi Adebanke Olufunmilade were First and Second Runners-Up respectively. Category awards went to Aire Natasha, Best in Entrepreneurial and Finance Accounting; Fadipe Janefrances, Best in Strategy and Innovation; and Akinloye Oluwakemi Yetunde, Best in Entrepreneurial Gender and Leadership.