Linda Uneze, Chief Executive Officer Of Maurice Xandra Solutions, Convenes DBNC 2026 On Dialogue Around Capital, Collaboration, And Enterprise Growth

Linda Uneze, Chief Executive Officer of Maurice Xandra Solutions, convened the Doing Business in Nigeria Conference (DBNC) 2026 with a clear and deliberate vision to redefine how Nigerian businesses approach growth in an increasingly interconnected global economy. Through her leadership, DBNC continues to evolve beyond a traditional conference into a strategic platform where leaders, policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs converge to explore how collaboration, rather than isolation, now drives sustainable success.

Held on April 25, 2026, at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, this year’s edition was anchored on the theme “Beyond Boundaries: Innovate Locally, Compete Globally.” The 2026 edition was delivered in collaboration with key partners Maurice Xandra Solutions, VFD Group, and Unotelos Group, amongst others, whose support made the conference possible and reinforced the critical role of cross-sector partnerships in enabling enterprise growth and innovation.

From the outset, the tone was unmistakable: DBNC 2026 was designed not just to host conversations but to translate dialogue into actionable pathways for growth, partnerships, and long-term economic impact.

The conference opened with a compelling Keynote Address by Tonye Patrick Cole, Co-founder of Sahara Group, titled “From Potential to Performance: Building Enterprises That Dominate at Home and Win Abroad.” He challenged businesses to move beyond ambition and focus on execution, discipline, and building systems capable of global competitiveness.

This was followed by a second Keynote Address by Kemi Adeosun, former Minister of Finance, titled “Inside the Minds of Market Makers: How Bold Leaders Navigate Nigeria’s Complexity.” She provided insights into market behaviour, fiscal discipline, and the realities of decision-making within Nigeria’s complex economic environment, emphasizing clarity, resilience, and informed leadership as critical tools for navigating growth.

In a Special Address, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Federal Republic of Nigeria, outlined Nigeria’s strategic direction toward building a more competitive and investment-ready economy, emphasizing the role of policy, innovation, and private sector collaboration.

A leadership-focused executive roundtable, “Leadership Without Precedent,” brought together Dr. Folashade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager, West Africa, Mastercard; Folake Soetan, Chief Executive Officer, Ikeja Electric; Yetunde Oni, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria; and Chidilim Menakaya, Director, Sahara Group Foundation. Moderated by Chukwuma Aligwekwe (Chico), Programme Director, Classic FM, the session explored how leaders are making decisions in environments where traditional frameworks no longer apply, and how adaptability has become a core leadership requirement.

A key moment of depth came during the fireside chat titled “Powering Prosperity: Capital, Energy, and the Future of Nigeria’s Economic Growth.” Featuring Engr. Effiong Udofia Okon, Executive Director, Seplat Energy, and moderated by Olatunde Akintola, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, EnergiHub, the session examined the intersection of capital and energy as twin drivers of national development. The conversation highlighted how aligning both sectors is essential to unlocking productivity, attracting investment, and accelerating sustainable economic growth in Nigeria.

The second executive roundtable, “Financing Nigeria’s Growth: What Investors Need, What Businesses Must Do,” featured Chidi Iwuchukwu, Executive Director, Rand Merchant Bank (RMB); Oluyemisi Iranloye, Chief Executive Officer, Psaltry International Company Limited; Wole Abu, Managing Director, Equinix West Africa; Tokunbo Akande, Special Adviser to the Executive Chairman, Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS); and Anthony Oduu, Co-founder/CFO/CPO, VertoFX. Moderated by Tokunbo George-Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Skot Communications, the discussion provided practical clarity on access to capital, investor expectations, and what businesses must do to become investment-ready and scalable.

However, the defining highlight of DBNC 2026 was the Business Pitch Competition, where ideas met opportunity in their most practical form. Designed to spotlight innovation and scalability, it brought emerging entrepreneurs directly before investors and industry leaders in a high-stakes environment of visibility and evaluation.

Among the finalists, Jennifer Esiaba, Chief Executive Officer of Mariam Grey Health, stood out for the clarity and strength of her solution within Nigeria’s healthcare sector. Her pitch demonstrated a deep understanding of existing gaps, paired with a scalable and structured model designed for both impact and growth. More than just a presentation, it reflected the kind of innovation DBNC was created to elevate—locally grounded, yet globally relevant.
The competition was evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including Oladayo Williams, Managing Director, Tetracore Energy Group; Thessa Bagu, Managing Director, Commercium Africa; Dr. Ayo Adegboye, Chief Executive Officer, Arravo; and Chioma Esike, Managing Director, Herel and Chief of Staff, VFD Group. Beyond recognition, participants gained access to mentorship, strategic networks, and partnership opportunities aimed at long-term business growth.

In many ways, this moment captured the essence of DBNC 2026. It reinforced a central truth that ran through every session: Nigeria’s challenge is not a lack of ideas, but the need for stronger access, deeper collaboration, and ecosystems that allow ideas to scale.

As the conference drew to a close, what remained was alignment between vision and execution, policy and enterprise, ambition and opportunity. DBNC 2026 did more than host conversations; it connected the people actively shaping the future of business in Nigeria.

Through her role as convener, Linda Uneze once again demonstrated the power of intentional leadership in bringing the right voices together at the right time. In doing so, she has positioned DBNC not just as an event, but as a growing platform for collaboration, innovation, and economic transformation.

And as those conversations continue beyond the conference hall, one truth stands firm: in a borderless economy, the future belongs to those who build together.