The Nigerian chapter of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) successfully concluded the 2024 International Coaching Week (ICW), a celebration that united top minds in the life coaching industry. From May 13th to 15th, the event, themed “Innovate, Elevate, Celebrate,” provided a dynamic platform for conversations around the power and potential of professional coaching.
The flagship conference, held at the Mike Adenuga Centre, Alliance Française, Ikoyi, featured a stellar lineup of speakers, including former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Folashade Adefisayo; immediate past Lagos State Commissioner for Establishments, People & Organizational Development expert, Maryam Aliko Mohammed; Training & Pensions, Ajibola Ponnle; CEO of IRMP Consulting, Charles Okeibunor; and Managing Partner of RESILIGENT, Remi Adebonojo.
2024 International Coaching Week – A Call to Embrace Coaching
Akanimo Ekong, President of the ICF Nigeria Chapter, opened the event by highlighting the transformative potential of coaching. “This global celebration is a powerful platform to illuminate the transformative potential of coaching. It’s more than a profession; it’s a proven methodology that empowers individuals, organizations, and even nations to achieve lasting, positive change,” he stated.
In her keynote address, Folashade Adefisayo emphasized the importance of integrating coaching into educational systems and her journey of overcoming challenges with the help of coaching. “In our culture, we don’t like to tell people what is happening because, with a coach, you have to be vulnerable. You have to let them know what is in your heart. We like to keep our secrets, but it causes us many problems. So, having a coach means someone who understands, cares for you and helps you to do well in your work,” she said.
The Power of Coaching in Organizations
Ajibola Ponnle, during a fireside chat, spoke about the importance of coaching in organizational settings. “My message to Nigerians would be to embrace coaching. No one is too big to say, ‘I need to get a coach.’ We have CEOs of organizations locally and abroad who have their own coaches. Everyone needs somebody who will hold their hand, be there and not judge them, actively listen to them and not necessarily tell them what they would do in the circumstance. So, embrace coaching; it can help you accelerate things you would have done in a month or a year.”
Ponnle highlighted how organizations like Standard Chartered Bank and Lagos Business School have adopted coaching philosophies to empower their managers and staff, fostering growth and development.
New Book – An African Coaching Experience
A significant event highlight was unveiling a 400-page book titled “The World of Coaching: An African Experience,” authored by 18 contributors from across Africa sharing their insights and experiences. As the event concluded, the ICF Nigeria Chapter announced plans for the 2025 International Coaching Week, reaffirming its commitment to promoting coaching as a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.
For more information about ICF Nigeria and to stay updated on upcoming events, visit www.icfnigeria.org and follow @icf_nigeria on Instagram.
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