Keynote Speakers

Topic: MANAGING SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA'S PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY

Raphael Ajayi is the General Manager (Supply Chain) of Fidson Healthcare PLC, Lagos, Nigeria. He leads senior managers across the entire supply chain functions of the company.

He has over 20 years’ experience in providing solutions to complex supply chain problems in various organizations after moving away from core engineering practices in 2002.

Raphael has worked with other big companies at various levels in Nigeria including Foods and Beverages (FMCG), Telecommunication and Pharmaceutical companies. He helped these organizations to deliver integrated business objectives through people with purpose by creating an enabling environment for the teams to deliver productive and sustainable business operations.

Raphael is currently Chairman of Supply Chain Professionals of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Group of Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), and a Fellow of Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered). He is also a member of Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, United Kingdom.

He holds an MBA in Management Technology from Lagos State University and an MSc in Procurement, Logistics & Supply Chain Management from the University of Salford.

Topic: CATECHIZING NIGERIA’S TRANSPORT RESOURCES AND SUSTAINABLE FREIGHT LOGISTICS

Professor Charles Ojima Asenime is a researcher and expert in urban mobility and logistics. He specialises in urban and regional transport planning, inclusive mobility, inland waterways transport, and logistics management.

He holds a Ph.D. in transport planning from the University of Lagos. His doctoral research focused on critical issues in transport infrastructure and mobility solutions, particularly in urban areas.

With over three decades of academic and consultancy experience, Professor Asenime has led major studies for organisations like the Volvo Research Foundation, the World Bank, and the Nigeria Shippers Council. He is a Fellow of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Prof. Asenime is currently the Dean of the School of Transport and Logistics at Lagos State University, where he has developed academic programmes, mentored student research in sustainable transport, and advocated for policy reforms.

Professor Olayinka David-West is a distinguished academic and thought leader at the intersection of business, technology, and policy. She currently serves as the Dean of Lagos Business School (LBS), where she has played a pivotal role in elevating the institution’s global stature through strategic leadership and academic excellence. With a career spanning several decades in IT and financial services, her expertise lies in digital transformation, inclusive finance, and the strategic use of technology to enhance business models and organizational effectiveness.

Throughout her tenure at LBS, Professor David-West has held numerous leadership roles, including faculty member, academic director, associate dean, and accreditation lead. Her contributions have helped the school secure international accreditations and achieve recognition as one of Africa’s leading business education institutions. She is also a prolific researcher whose work explores how technology reshapes businesses, industries, and societies. Her thought leadership continues to influence policy frameworks and corporate strategies across the continent.

Since 2015, she has led the Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Financial Services (SIDFS) initiative at LBS. Under her guidance, SIDFS has become a leading research and advocacy platform driving financial inclusion and digital innovation in Nigeria. The initiative supports capacity-building for regulators, financial service providers, and digital ecosystem actors, offering evidence-based insights to shape inclusive financial systems. Professor David-West’s close collaboration with policymakers and industry players ensures her research remains practical and impactful.

Her work has earned her recognition as a trusted advisor, keynote speaker, and consultant. She frequently contributes to conferences and seminars and has published extensively in reputable journals. Her ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice has positioned her as a go-to expert for navigating digital disruption and innovation adoption. She has also played a vital role in developing pragmatic solutions for businesses, startups, and government bodies facing the complexities of technological change.

Professor David-West holds advanced degrees in business administration and technology management and boasts a suite of professional certifications, including CISA, CGEIT, Cyber Risk Governance, and SFIA. A strong advocate for women in STEM, she mentors emerging leaders and has been featured in several high-profile recognitions, including the Tech Women of Lagos and Fintech Times. She is a member of the Fintech Association of Nigeria and African Women in Finance and Payments, reflecting her deep commitment to shaping the future of digital finance in Africa.

Chief Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa is the managing director / chief executive officer of Lelook Nigeria Limited, which she founded in 1985. Her audacious spirit and business expertise have seen the company grow to become a giant bag manufacturing company in Africa, with international acclaim and numerous awards. These include the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) Certification of Trade under GTI-0001.The company also made history by becoming the first SME to be awarded Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status by the Nigerian Customs Service.

Through her company, Mrs. Ezenwa has built a legacy of unwavering and unrepentant passion in her efforts to promote cultural understanding, highlight the diversity, accomplishments, and promise of the continent, and positively portray Africa's heritage and culture to audiences around the world.

Mrs. Ezenwa worked for notable organisations both outside and within the country while in service. She began her career with the Montreal Star Publishing Company, Canada, from 1979 to 1980 after completing her National Youth Service (NYSC) with the National Assembly. In Nigeria, Mrs. Chinwe had a blistering 35 years career in the civil service, where she meritoriously served three Heads of State in Nigeria before her retirement in 2011.

Mrs. Ezenwa is also the founder and visionary of Lelook Bags Academy, a foremost skill centre for women and youth where they are trained with professional skills in bag making; the academy has graduated over 200 students since its inception. Mrs Ezenwa is also the Chief Promoter of Oceanserve & Logistics Limited, a human resources and development company in Nigeria; She also holds other leadership capacities and sits on the board of several companies. This assiduous and indefatigable septuagenarian, who has built decades of success-laden careers through integrity, perseverance, kindness, and determination, is an inspiration to many and a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Topic: ENHANCING QUALITY AND EXPANDING ACCESS: HOW POOLED PURCHASING BY STATES CAN STRENGTHEN NIGERIA'S HEALTHCARE DELIVERY

Dr Oyebanji Filani is a global health leader and MD with over 17 years of experience in health systems reforms. He currently serves as the Honourable Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Ekiti State, Nigeria and the Chairperson of the Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum, guiding his colleagues on critical health systems reform issues at the sub-national level.

He has built a proven track record of leadership and a deep understanding of the complex challenges facing global health today. As the Commissioner for Health and Human Services in Ekiti State, Nigeria, he successfully reduced neonatal, infant, and under-5 mortality rates by 57%, 53%, and 54%, respectively, over a four-year period.

Between 2019 and 2020, he served as the technical director of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), a $150m Federal Government of Nigeria Initiative to finance and deliver a suite of primary health care interventions. In this role, he provided thought leadership on the program, drove its implementation, and ensured performance indicators were met in the 36 states of Nigeria.

He has served on several committees, including the Technical Committee of the World Bank/USAID-led Annual Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum, the Advisory Committee for the Strategic Purchasing Africa Resource Center (SPARC), and the Advisory Board to develop a global Health Equity Program of Action.

Topic: REIMAGINING AFRICA'S SUPPLY CHAINS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Dr. Obiora Madu is a leading authority in logistics and supply chain management in Africa, with over three decades of experience spanning international trade, customs, transport, and supply chain strategy.

He is the founder/CEO of Multimix Academy and director general of the African Centre for Supply Chain (ACSC), where he drives research, education, and policy advocacy across the continent.

He is an adjunct professor at Malaysia University of Science, and Technology and has played a key role in promoting logistics education and professional standards in Nigeria and Africa.

He has authored several widely referenced books and is a recipient of Nigeria’s National Productivity Order of Merit Award. He actively advocates for a National Logistics Policy and the integration of technology like AI into the supply chain sector.

His work bridges academia and industry, and he continues to lead impactful initiatives to strengthen the sector. His work bridges academia and industry, making him a key voice in shaping Africa’s supply chain future.