Organisers of the annual HR Expo Africa (HREA) work festival have said that Alexander Kolawole Olugbodi’s recent Lifetime Achievement award was in recognition of his role in championing transformational change in human resource (HR) management.
The 2026 HREA work festival was the 11th edition of the annual expo, which opened with a strong call for organisations to rethink productivity, as industry leaders, HR professionals and business executives converged to explore the theme: ‘Redefining Productivity in the Age of AI and Analytics.’
“Your selection for this honour reflects your profound commitment to advancing HR practices, mentoring future leaders, and championing transformational change in the world of work,” Erefa Coker, founder, HR Expo Africa, said in a statement.
Coker added that throughout his career, Olugbodi has not only shaped the industry but has also inspired countless professionals to push the boundaries of what is possible.
In addition to the Lifetime Achievement award, Olugbodi was also inducted into the HR Most Influential List, which was announced during the HREA awards dinner.
According to Coker, the lifetime achievement award is an honour reserved for visionary leaders who have made an extraordinary mark on the profession.
Olugbodi, founder and chief resilience architect of Oak Resilience Consultancy, was selected based on his decades of unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and lasting influence on human resources, workforce development, and organisational excellence.
Ruby Igwe, regional director, ALX Africa in West and Central Africa, and keynote speaker, highlighted how AI is rapidly transforming workplace expectations.
“AI is changing the definition of productivity. The real question now is: what do we do with the extra time it creates? How do we use it to drive better outcomes and create more value?”
According to her, tasks that once consumed hours can now be completed in minutes, forcing professionals and organisations to rethink how they measure output and relevance.
Igwe emphasized the need for continuous learning, urging employees to conduct personal skills gap analyses and adopt emerging tools.
She noted that institutions like ALX Africa are already training people across the continent in AI, data, leadership and entrepreneurship.
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