The recognition was conferred at a recent colloquium held in Lagos.

The Leader Without Title Leadership Tribute is one of CVL’s most prestigious platforms, recognising individuals whose leadership impact transcends formal authority and delivers measurable social value through service, integrity, and purpose. Akinlabi was selected following a rigorous, merit-based evaluation process focused on long-term societal contribution and values-driven leadership.

Speaking on the honour, Akinlabi said, “This recognition is a reminder that leadership is ultimately about service and the responsibility to create value beyond oneself. I receive this honour on behalf of the many people and communities whose lives continue to give meaning to the work we do. True leadership is measured not by titles, but by impact, integrity, and the legacy we leave behind.”

Aknilabi was recognised for his sustained impact in human development, mentorship, and community transformation through The Elevation Church and its associated social initiatives.

Programmes such as the Pistis Empowerment Foundation, large-scale outreach efforts including Elevate 200, free medical missions, food distribution drives, and multiple welfare interventions were cited as evidence of enduring social impact.

His leadership platforms, including The Exponential Conference, Vantage Forum, Man Up, The Hangout, and the Business Roundtable, were also highlighted for their role in equipping leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and young people across sectors.

According to Professor Pat Utomi, founder and chief executive officer of the Centre for Values in Leadership, the recognition reflects the focus of this year’s edition of the programme.

“This year’s edition focuses on honouring faith leaders of outstanding global relevance, individuals whose lives reflect a long-standing commitment to justice, equity, and transformative social impact. Godman Akinlabi’s work embodies these ideals and has produced tangible results across communities within and beyond Nigeria,” Utomi stated.

In addition to his institutional and social contributions, Akinlabi’s influence extends through his authorship and thought leadership.

His books, including I Am Possible, From Fear to Faith, Don’t Waste Your Pain, Grace at Work, Radical Purity, and Divine Advantage, have reached a global audience, offering practical guidance on leadership, resilience, work, relationships, and personal development.

His active engagement across digital platforms further reflects a contemporary approach to leadership and community building.

The Centre for Values in Leadership noted that the honour places Akinlabi among a distinguished group of African leaders previously recognised by the programme, including Akintola Williams, Ernest Shonekan, Emeka Anyaoku, Grace Alele Williams, Christopher Kolade, and Wole Olanipekun.

The recognition reinforces the continuing role of values-based leadership in national development and social progress, particularly in shaping ethical, inclusive, and resilient institutions across Africa.

The post Godman Akinlabi Receives Centre for Values in Leadership Award appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

What King offered was more than a list of demands; it was a story powerful enough to turn individual longing into a collective destiny.

Decades later in South Africa, Nelson Mandela drew from the same well of narrative leadership. Emerging from twenty-seven years in prison, he chose not revenge but reconciliation, telling a story of forgiveness that helped thread a deeply fractured nation back together. His simple act of wearing the Springboks jersey in 1995 became a symbol of unity, turning a divisive emblem into a national bridge.

These leaders did not merely manage change; they transformed the world by offering narratives strong enough to recast social opposition into shared mission.

Their approach still resonates today, not only in national struggles but in the conference rooms and boardrooms where modern leaders now recognise that storytelling is no longer a soft skill. It has become a strategic function capable of aligning teams, strengthening cultures, and charting clear futures.

From Data to Direction

The question of why stories carry such power has baffled leaders who rely primarily on facts and figures. Yet research repeatedly shows that data alone rarely inspires action.

A well-known McKinsey case study illustrates this clearly. A technology CEO once announced a major reorganisation using nothing but charts and spreadsheets. The effort stalled almost immediately; employees heard the message but never connected with it.

When he regrouped, the CEO reframed the transformation as a return to the company’s entrepreneurial roots, drawing a line from its early days to the aspirations of current staff.

The narrative resonated. Employees began to see themselves not as pawns in a structural shift but as protagonists in a larger journey. The strategy succeeded not because the data changed, but because the story did.

This pattern has repeated across industries, especially during moments of uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic left many workplaces anxious and disoriented, hungry not only for information but for meaning.

Organisations that thrived during that period did so because their leaders helped people understand not just what was happening, but why it mattered and how they could move forward with purpose. In difficult times, a coherent story becomes a stabilising force.

Stories in Action

Across modern industries, some of the most striking corporate reinventions have been fueled by narrative leadership. At Microsoft, CEO Satya Nadella anchored cultural transformation on a single idea: the growth mindset.

By framing the company’s future around curiosity, learning, and empathy, often sharing personal reflections, he shifted a once rigid, siloed environment into a collaborative engine of innovation. Analysts credit this narrative as a catalyst for Microsoft’s renewed relevance and record-breaking performance.

The same dynamic is evident in the bold visions of entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, who invites employees and customers into stories bigger than any single product.

Tesla is not presented merely as a car company, and SpaceX is not described merely as a rocket manufacturer. Instead, they are framed as vehicles for planetary transformation, one path leading toward sustainable energy, the other toward a multiplanetary future.

Patagonia offers a different yet equally compelling example. Its founder, Yvon Chouinard, embedded environmental stewardship into the company’s DNA, telling a story so authentic that employees and customers alike see the brand as a mission-driven community.

New hires begin with a philosophical manual rather than a corporate handbook, reinforcing the idea that their work contributes to something larger than profit.

These examples demonstrate that narrative leadership is not decorative communication; it is strategic architecture. As Nadella often puts it, the most important attribute a leader needs is clarity, and clarity is built through story.

The reason stories resonate so deeply is rooted in human nature. Long before spreadsheets and dashboards, storytelling was how societies made sense of the world, built relationships, and transmitted values. A compelling narrative still performs these functions today, turning complex strategies into relatable missions.

Steve Jobs captured this truth when he described storytellers as the most powerful people in the world. He understood that a strategy without a story is simply information. A story turns that strategy into belief.

In modern companies, the narrative is often the difference between disengagement and alignment. When a leader frames organisational change as a return to creativity or a rediscovery of purpose, employees can locate themselves within the transformation. The narrative becomes the map.

McKinsey’s research confirms that high-performing leaders consistently link initiatives back to a central story, whether of innovation, service, reinvention, or resilience. When this link is absent, even the most well-crafted plans suffer from what the firm calls a “low return on inspiration.” Without narrative coherence, execution becomes mechanical, and teams lose sight of meaning.

Building a Culture of Narrative

Crafting a leadership narrative is not an act of performance; it is an act of empathy. Leaders must begin by understanding their audience, what they fear, what they hope for, and how change touches their daily lives. The most effective narratives centre the human impact, not the balance sheet. This is the heart of what scholars call “narrative pluralism”: the ability to tell multiple stories that resonate across diverse groups while maintaining a shared core message.

Authenticity is equally essential. Employees can sense when a story is rehearsed but not believed. Personal reflections, lessons learned, and even admissions of doubt often create deeper trust. Vulnerability, expressed thoughtfully, turns leaders into relatable figures rather than distant authorities.

Narrative leadership is also a long-term discipline, not a one-off engagement. High-performing organisations infuse their values and vision into stories told repeatedly across meetings, town halls, and internal communications. Over time, this creates a culture where everyone understands not only what they are doing but why it matters as well as how their individual effort contributes to a larger purpose.

From the civil rights movements of the 20th century to the boardrooms of today’s most influential companies, leadership has been repeatedly defined by the power of story. Vision, when framed as narrative, moves people. It builds trust, aligns large groups, and transforms cultures.

Facts may inform, but they rarely inspire. Trust requires something deeper: the ability for people to see themselves in the organisation’s journey and believe that their story belongs there. As Harvard’s public narrative framework teaches, leaders must articulate who they are, why they do what they do, and where they hope to lead.

In a world reshaped daily by disruption, the leaders who succeed will be those who can tell the right story, one that grounds people in shared values and lifts them toward a future worth building. The pen, indeed, remains mightier than the spreadsheet because the right narrative can transform everything.

*Godman Akinlabi is a renowned leadership expert, author, and the Global Lead Pastor of The Elevation Church. He is widely recognised as a leading voice on leadership, purpose, and personal transformation.

The post The Power of Narrative Leadership: Shaping Culture Through Storytelling appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

This transformative grant is dedicated to financially empowering faith-based entrepreneurs, driving innovation, and championing sustainable business practices, all with the goal of creating a lasting societal impact.

With an initial endowment of 50 million Naira personally funded by Godman Akinlabi, this inaugural initiative will provide grants to deserving businesses, laying the foundation for transformative impact.

Designed to remain entirely non-profit now and in the future, the Fund represents the start of an ambitious journey to evolve into an annual programme dedicated to supporting high-potential enterprises with sustainable impact.

Over time, it will welcome contributions from individuals, partners, and organisations united by a shared vision of building a more inclusive, prosperous, and impactful economy.

As part of the commemoration of his 50th birthday, Godman Akinlabi will host an exclusive leadership lecture at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, featuring keynote speaker and renowned thought leader, Leke Alder.

This high-profile event will serve as a platform to explore transformative ideas on governance, leadership, and their critical roles in driving societal progress.

With a focus on equipping attendees with actionable insights, the lecture underscores the values of visionary leadership, ethical governance, and strategic innovation essential for shaping a more sustainable and prosperous future.

A recent report by the International Trade Centre (ITC) highlights a stark reality: the vast majority of Nigerian SMEs remain underfunded, with only 15 percent able to access formal credit.

This financial gap, worsened by an economy strained by inadequate cash flow, stifles the growth and potential of small businesses.

The Godman Akinlabi Enterprise Development Fund aims to directly address these challenges by offering critical support, including access to capital, mentorship, and growth resources.

The Fund envisions entrepreneurship as a transformative engine for driving innovation, generating employment, and fostering sustainable societal change.

Godman Akinlabi, whose passion for leadership development and national transformation inspired this landmark project, shared his vision during the launch:

“This Fund is the realisation of a long-held vision to raise leaders who will build profitable enterprises, transform industries, and inspire tangible change. I believe true leadership is not just about personal success but about creating platforms for others to thrive. This Fund is that platform: a vehicle to empower courageous, faith-driven entrepreneurs to break barriers, innovate boldly, and redefine the future of business.”

The Godman Akinlabi Enterprise Development Fund offers targeted support for small and early-stage businesses, providing seed capital ranging from ₦250,000 to ₦2,000,000 for businesses looking to establish or scale.

Enterprises with proven potential can access growth capital of up to ₦5,000,000, enabling them to expand their operations and deepen their impact.

This initiative goes beyond financial assistance by providing beneficiaries with mentorship and strategic guidance, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of business growth.

The Vantage Forum, a key partner in the initiative, will oversee the program’s governance, defining the application criteria to select deserving, high-potential candidates. Additionally, The Vantage Forum will manage the evaluation and selection process, ensuring alignment with the Fund’s vision and objectives.

“By equipping individuals with resources, mentorship, and opportunities, we are not only creating economic prosperity but also fostering a legacy of leadership and positive impact that will reverberate across generations,” Akinlabi shared in a post-launch interview.

Applications for the first round of grants will open on 28th December 2024 and will be processed through the website.

The Godman Akinlabi Enterprise Development Fund is set to redefine the landscape of entrepreneurship by nurturing businesses that combine purpose with profit and drive meaningful societal change while maintaining its non-profit ethos.

Through strategic partnerships and a unified vision, the Fund will serve as a powerful catalyst for economic transformation, providing entrepreneurs with the tools they need to thrive.

The post Godman Akinlabi Launches Enterprise Development Fund for Entrepreneurs appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Colonialism left so many evils in Africa. One of its unfortunate legacies was how it created and enabled a ruler-subject system of governance that twisted the mindset of Africans towards the conception of their political rights and civic responsibilities.

The colonialists had absolute power and treated the natives as subjects, not as citizens.

This dichotomy is important to note because being a citizen assumes you have full rights and freedom that subjects don’t have. Subjects in the colonial contexts had no agency and had to be unreservedly submissive.

This system was vital to the colonialists as they needed to create a sense of dependency that would make the people pliable to rule and exploit unhindered.

The colonialists were be-alls and end-alls and their subjects were all too grateful, in an unalloyed sense of everlasting peonage, to be blessed by their rulership.

Foremost African academic Professor Mahmood Mamdani has written extensively on this topic. The crux, however, is that as we entered a post-colonial and post-modern Africa, successive African leaders carried over the colonial political and social configurations which have now left the continent perpetually in the 19^th century. And the damage is more mental than physical.

Mental, because, we have largely dismantled the colonial systems of governance, the collective African mindset is trapped in that era of servitude and deference to constituted authority with little sense of personal rights and responsibility.

This conditioning has provided the perfect leeway for modern African rulers to do as they like without any protestations.

That is why when they build a bridge or pave 1 kilometre of road at an immense cost to taxpayers, the people roll out the orchestra to sing their praises. That is also why some people are online and offline defending their political rulers, over-rationalising their bad behaviours, and bullying others to be grateful for the bare minimum they unconscionably squeeze out.

As for the rulers, they have come to expect to be served rather than to serve and are comfortable in their deep insouciance because the people are content with the bare minimum.

As Nigeria the giant of Africa marks its 63rd independence anniversary, I am reminded again that for Nigeria, and by extension Africa, to truly develop, we would need a mindset shift from being subjects to citizens: citizens who fully grasp the extent of their rights and responsibilities and are actively involved in nation building. That is the first and most important step to developing Nigeria.

The way I see it: the average Nigerian does not completely comprehend their role in building the Nigeria of their dreams – a consequence of the “subjects” conceptualisation of their national identity.

They expect development to be top-down, flowing from the rulers to the people instead of the more ideal bottom-up that emphasises self-leadership, accountability, integrity, and personal responsibility.

Everybody expects their leaders to do something and nothing gets done if the leaders don’t act or enforce compliance.

This has eventuated a culture of national apathy and unpatriotism where no one really cares about the national interest and people are more than happy to mismanage, destroy, sabotage, and steal public properties and resources.

After all, they belong to everybody and nobody in particular. No sense of ownership, personal responsibility, and accountability as a citizen of Nigeria who ought to place national interest above personal concerns.

Some of our people will build houses over drainages and block the flow of water, leading to flooding when it rains. Our cities are overflowing with dirt because everybody is dumping everything on the streets without any care. That’s the attitude of subjects: they care less because they believe they have no part in the system.

The Nigerian mind needs to be transformed to believe and act like citizens with stakes in the country. We need to start thinking in terms of what is good for the collective.

As Billy Graham famously said, “If wealth is lost, nothing is lost; if health is lost, something is lost; but if character is lost, everything is lost”.

Nigeria has lost decades of developmental opportunities due to the absence of the right mindset and character towards nation-building.

The country is not going to develop if the people do not switch their minds from exploiting the system to building it for the good of all.

Corruption is unstoppable because there are people giving it life. What if you stopped giving and accepting bribes, driving against traffic, littering the streets and highways with rubbish? What if you dealt with integrity and accountability daily as a Nigerian? Imagine how Nigeria would be transformed!

Citizens seek the good of their land. Be a good and patriotic citizen of Nigeria.

Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!

Godman Akinlabi is a global preacher, author, and leadership expert inspiring purposeful living for social transformation.

The post From Subjects to Citizens: The Burden of Patriotism in Nigeria appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

Recognising the emotional challenges and hurdles immigrants face in their pursuit of stability and a better future, Find Your Voice seeks to empower them with the tools, insights, and inspiration needed for successful integration and societal impact.

Its mission is to help immigrants become effective ambassadors, fostering the right mindset, and building supportive communities, ultimately enabling their fulfilment and meaningful contributions to their new countries.

“Immigration is a fact of life. Since time immemorial, people have crossed local and international borders to trade or live permanently. Beneath this reality lie untold stories of challenges, resilience, and the pursuit of belonging newcomers face in their adopted lands”, said Godman Akinlabi

By curating and sharing the experiences of immigrants before them, Find Your Voice hopes to kindle a fire of hope and motivation within others, encouraging them to achieve their dreams by adding significant value wherever they find themselves”.

Find Your Voice will be hosted by Godman Akinlabi online via his social media accounts (@pgeeman on Instagram, Godman Akinlabi on Facebook, @Pgeeman on Twitter, and Godman Akinlabi Official on YouTube) every first and third Thursday of the month.

He will converse with successful immigrants worldwide, sharing their experiences to inspire others to find their voice.

Who is Godman Akinlabi?

Godman Akinlabi is a renowned leadership trainer, author, and pastor based in Lagos, Nigeria. With over 20 years of experience in ministry and leadership, he is a distinguished scholar holding a B.Tech, an MSc, and an MBA from the prestigious Manchester Business School in England. Godman is a sought-after conference speaker, consultant, mentor and best-selling author.

He is the Founder and Chair of the Pistis Empowerment Foundation, the convener of the Exponential Conference for pastors and faith leaders, the Accelerate Conference, the Men’s Room, and the Mr & Mrs Better Half, an initiative for empowering marriages. Godman is committed to inspiring people to live a purposeful and fulfilling life, and his works have earned him recognition as one of the most influential youth pastors in Nigeria.

Godman is a devoted husband and father of two and enjoys playing golf and exploring new leadership ideas.

The post Godman Akinlabi Launches ‘Find Your Voice’ to Empower Immigrants Globally appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.

In a matter of hours, Nigerians will head to the polls in what seems like the most polarising election the country has ever had.

Ethnic and religious fault lines have come to the fore again, threatening to snap the thin thread that holds Nigeria together delicately. In a frantic effort aimed at winning over their voter base, politicians and their associates, who ought to uphold peace and stability, are desperately deploying divisive rhetoric centred around ethnicity and religion. Unrestrained, these actions set the ideal condition for electoral violence and devastation, a prospect that we must resolutely oppose.

Painful historical lessons from Rwanda, South Africa, and Myanmar suggest that a wolf could be at the door. Historical tragedies, like the Rwandan genocide, which is estimated to have claimed over half a million lives in just 100 days, serve as cautionary reminders of the catastrophic impact of hate speech and derogatory remarks.

If that seems too old to find expression in our modern society, the recent genocide of the Rohingya tribe in Myanmar, which claimed 25,000 lives, kicks all doubts to the curb. Within our shores, reports indicate that over the past three election cycles, hate speech and ethno-religious assertions have resulted in the tragic loss of at least a thousand lives.

For a population that has endured years of social and economic deprivations at the hands of their political stewards, the tensions heading into the polls are at feverish levels. Expectations are high, and patience is wearing thin. There’s anger, bitterness, and fear in the air. A little trigger might set the nation on fire.

Our conduct between now and the aftermath of the elections would determine the peace and security we would enjoy in the coming years.

Therefore, we all should be more circumspect during this election for the sake of ourselves, our families, and our friends. Rwanda is a constant reminder of how hate speech and divisive statements can turn otherwise innocent humans into monsters that let hell loose on their friends.

Politicians and electoral seasons are like the ebb and flow of the tides, but our nation remains. Likewise, the consequences of our present actions on the well-being of our future generations will linger.

We must look beyond the now and contemplate the future we’re creating for ourselves and the people we love. After the elections, your opposition would return to being your neighbour, colleague, friend, or business partner. Would you want them to hate you forever?

Nigeria is already the 6th most terrorized country in the world, according to the Global Terrorism Index. Nigerians face different, often intractable, security challenges across the six geopolitical zones.

More than 35,000 people have been killed and three million displaced in the north alone since the Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009. In the decade between 2009 and 2019, terrorism and insecurity cost the Nigerian economy over 141 billion USD. For perspective, Nigeria needs 100 billion USD to solve our power supply challenges and 2 billion USD to fix our primary healthcare sector according to the Financial Derivatives Company (FDC).

Insecurity is costly, both in human and material resources. We should do all we can to ensure this election does not create new security challenges for us. Remember, your opposition thinks he’s also doing what’s right for the country.

The path to achieving that is just different from yours. Respectfully and peacefully exercise your opposition to their proposal at the polls. Vote, not fight.

I am aware politicians are fond of defaulting to their tribal sentiments during elections, creating an ‘Us versus Them’ bunker mentality. See through their manipulations and selfish tendencies. As you pursue your interests through them, be careful not to become a tool for incitement and violence. You’d be left alone to nurture your wounds at the end.

The Bible says the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There’s no law against these (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV). Regardless of who triumphs at the polls, advocate peace and tolerance always. If you feel any injustice or you have evidence of electoral fraud, protest the injustice legally and peacefully. Violence will create more problems without addressing your grievances.

Above all, see the task of building Nigeria as a noble and personal responsibility. While it’s good to elect great leaders, their effort will amount to nought if the citizens are uncooperative and irresponsible. Nation-building is a bottom-up process. From the individual to the community and up to the national level. Beyond Elections and political differences, it takes everyone to build a nation.

If you and I make the right choices daily, shunning corruption and greed in our respective corners, things will take a turn for the better. Leaders are products of their community. So, even if your favourite candidates don’t emerge winners, never give up on your country.

Form a formidable and peaceful opposition while contributing to Nigeria positively. That’s what patriotism demands. God established us in the land purposely. Impact it in the way God expects you to.

As a final note, I’ll leave you with one of my favourite verses from the Bible: Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV.

Nigeria will rise.

Godman Akinlabi is the Global Lead Pastor, The Elevation Church

The post 2023 Elections: Vote for Peace, Reject Violence appeared first on Tech | Business | Economy.