Sanwo-Olu, Dave Ulrich to Headline Work Festival 2026 as Global HR Leaders Converge in Lagos
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, alongside globally renowned HR thought leader, Dave Ulrich, will lead high-level conversations at the HREA Work Festival 2026, a two-day gathering of industry leaders focused on the future of work.
Scheduled for April 8–9, 2026, at Harbour Point Event Center in Lagos, the festival is expected to attract a cross-section of executives, human resource professionals, and technology experts to examine evolving workplace dynamics driven by artificial intelligence and data analytics.
Themed “Redefining Productivity in the Age of AI and Analytics,” this year’s edition will explore how organizations can adapt productivity models in response to rapid technological disruption and shifting workforce expectations.
Governor Sanwo-Olu is billed as a keynote speaker, bringing a public-sector perspective on economic growth, talent development, and innovation within Africa’s largest commercial hub. Dave Ulrich, widely regarded as a pioneer in modern human resource management, is also expected to deliver a keynote address, offering global insights into organizational effectiveness and leadership in the digital age.
Other prominent speakers listed for the event include Prasanna Kumar Burri of Texan Technology, Kayode Olumese-Ojo of Flourychem, Pelumi Adesina of FCMB, Omokunbi Adeoti of Leadway Group, Adesuwa Okhifo of Hygeia HMO, and Emilemo Aderote of Sahara Group. The lineup also features senior HR leaders and executives such as Dipo Adebajo of Sterling Bank, Cynthia Samyode of Polaris Bank, and Kehinde Akinlabi of Sahara Group, among others.
The festival will host a series of panel discussions, keynote sessions, and networking engagements designed to address critical questions around workforce transformation, talent management, and the integration of AI into business operations.
A central focus of the conversations will be the redefinition of productivity in modern workplaces, particularly as artificial intelligence becomes an active participant in decision-making processes. Participants are expected to interrogate how organizations can balance human creativity with machine efficiency while maintaining ethical and sustainable practices.
Representing Silverbird Group at the event is Onajevwe Akakabota, Group Head of People Operations, who will join other industry leaders in shaping discussions around people strategy and organizational culture.
Silverbird Television has also been confirmed as an official media partner for the event, positioning the network to provide comprehensive coverage and amplify key insights from the festival to a wider audience.
Organizers say the Work Festival 2026 aims to move beyond theoretical discussions by offering practical frameworks and actionable strategies for businesses navigating the complexities of a rapidly evolving work environment.
Registration for the event is currently open via the official HREA platform.
Event Details:
April 8–9, 2026
Harbour Point Event Center, Lagos
hrexpoafrica.com/register
