Global leaders, diplomats, and innovators are set to gather in Lagos, Nigeria, for the 2025 Global Excellence Summit and Awards (GESA), an event focused on amplifying Africa’s role as a driving force on the world stage. The summit will be held May 23-24.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, will join other prominent figures at GESA 2025, which organizers are framing as a continental movement designed to celebrate achievements, foster effective leadership, and proactively shape the global narrative surrounding Africa.
Ambassador Fatoumatta Gaye, Convener of GESA 2025 and Vice Chairperson of the AU Agenda 2063 Women and Gender Committee, emphasized the summit’s focus on tangible change. “This is not just another conference; it’s a movement to establish Africa as a global leader. We are recognizing and celebrating those individuals and organizations who are actively transforming systems and driving progress across the continent,” Gaye stated.
Themed “Global Excellence in Diplomacy and Leadership: Africa’s Path to Prosperity,” GESA 2025 will delve into critical areas such as diplomacy, governance, trade, innovation, gender equity, and sustainable development. The event is supported by key organizations including the African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly and the United Nations International Peace and Governance Council.
The two-day program will feature keynote addresses from global and regional leaders, interactive exhibitions, specialized masterclasses on leadership and diplomacy, and engaging panel discussions. The summit will culminate in a prestigious awards gala recognizing outstanding contributions with the Global Excellence Awards, AU Women Impact Awards, and the He-for-She Honours.
High-level attendees expected include Justice Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar, Chairman of Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Tribunal, High Commissioners from The Gambia, Zambia, and Sierra Leone, and influential business and policy leaders from across Africa and its diaspora.
