Ota Udeh
A journalist and documentary filmmaker, Obaji Akpet, has been elected the new Lead of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Alumni Hub in Lagos.
Akpet, who was a beneficiary of the foundation’s 2019 entrepreneurship programme, emerged as the candidate with the highest number of votes in the 2026 hub leadership election.
His election is expected to strengthen engagement among TEF alumni in Lagos, particularly in the areas of entrepreneurship, business partnerships, mentorship and access to opportunities.
In his acceptance remarks, Akpet said his administration would build on the values of Africapitalism championed by the foundation’s founder, Tony Elumelu, by encouraging entrepreneurs to create businesses that generate wealth and employment while contributing to society.
He said, “Lagos is the epicentre of the TEF Programme, and our responsibility as its alumni is not simply to celebrate what the Foundation has done for us, but to carry its ideals forward.
“As the new leadership of the Lagos Hub, we will do everything within our capacity to foster the spirit of Africapitalism, building businesses that create value, generate wealth, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to society.”
The new hub lead said he would prioritise initiatives that enable members to benefit from one another through knowledge exchange, mentorship, partnerships and access to markets.
He also said the hub would work towards giving greater visibility to businesses established by TEF alumni and creating platforms through which members could expand their enterprises.
Akpet urged members to see the election as the beginning of a collective effort rather than a contest that should produce divisions.
“There is no victor and no vanquished. This was not a contest between enemies, but between fellow alumni who care deeply about the future of our community. The campaign ends today; the work begins,” he stated.
He also appealed to members who contested against him to join hands with the new leadership, stressing that their ideas and participation would be important to achieving the hub’s objectives.
“I will need everyone, not just those who voted for me, to make this vision a reality. My door will remain open to ideas, criticism, support and participation,” Akpet added.
His campaign was built around an eight-point agenda, which includes improving collaboration among alumni, promoting members’ businesses, facilitating knowledge sharing and expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs within the network.
The TEF Alumni Engagement Team said Akpet’s emergence demonstrated the confidence members had in his capacity to provide leadership and strengthen connections within the Lagos community.
Akpet is the founder of Africa Fixers Ltd, a Pan-African production logistics company with operations across more than 40 African countries. He has also worked with international media organisations, including the BBC, Reuters, TRT World, Arte and Business Insider.
The new leadership is expected to begin work on programmes aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening business networks and increasing the impact of TEF alumni in Lagos.
