Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ruff N’ Tumble, Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi, has emphasized the importance of integrity and action over words.
Mrs. Ogunlesi made this statement, while delivering a keynote address at Colloquium 2025, a conference organised by the Investment Society (TIS), University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Thursday, July 3, 2025. With the theme: Financing the Future and Rethinking Capital: A Web of Disruptive Technologies, Creativity and Sustainable Development in Africa, the event was held at the Jelili Omotola Hall, UNILAG.
Colloquium 2025 drew quite a large and vibrant crowd of entrepreneurs, industry leaders as well as students from schools and tertiary institutions across the nation including: International School, UNILAG (ISL); Queen’s College, Lagos; Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech); Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; Babcock University; Bowen University; Caleb University, Imota; Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE); Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna); Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO); Lagos State University (LASU); Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK); Pan Atlantic University, Lagos; University of Ibadan (UI); University of Ilorin (UNILORIN); University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); and University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT);
Keynote Address: Eight Pillars of Life
Setting the tone for the conference, Mrs. Ogunlesi, spoke on the Eight Pillars of Life which she described as the foundational elements essential for a fulfilling and impactful life. According to her, the elements are:
- Spirituality
- Mindset & Consciousness
- Health
- Wealth
- Family
- Career & Work
- Relationships (Mentors, Colleagues)
- Self-Growth
Sharing her entrepreneurial journey and lessons from building the Ruff N’ Tumble brand, the business entrepreneur encouraged attendees to define success on their own terms. She stressed that money should not be made solely for personal gain but for meaningful social impact.
Mrs. Ogunlesi urged participants to cultivate a wealth-building mindset, remain focused, and stay consistent in the pursuit of their goals. Highlighting the importance of resilience, vision and having a spiritual side, she added that, “Believe in the impossible and trust in the unknown.”
She also emphasized the need for holistic well-being—encouraging attendees to care of their physical, emotional, and mental health. She noted that the choices people make determine the outcome of their lives. Collaboration, she further disclosed, is key: “Work with people you trust and invest wisely in financial instruments.”
On personal relationships, she advised that choosing a life partner is one of the most critical decisions one can make, as it significantly influences one’s life trajectory. She concluded by encouraging the audience to align their relationships – personal and work – with their core values; invest in self-development and always believe in themselves without self-doubt.
The conference also featured a welcome address from the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, FAS, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Prof. Bola Oboh; an address from Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Afolabi Lesi; presentations from the current president of the Investment Society, Miss Giwa Aminat and Head, Financial Services, Africa Finance Corporation, Banji Fehintola, FCA; three insightful panel sessions; Grand Finale of the Colloquium 2025 Business Pitch Competition, among others.
Insightful Panel Sessions
The first panel session on Embracing Disruptive Technologies: Shaping the Future across Key Industries had the following esteemed panellists: CEO, Eko Innovation Centre, Victor Gbenga Afolabi; CEO, Big Cabal Media, Tomiwa Aladekomo; Accelerator Portfolio Manager, Google, Oluwadunni Fanibe; Investment Principal, Ventures Platform, Dolapo Morgan; and Managing Director, New Traks Capital, Susan Chen. Moderator: Yunus Ibrahim, Investment Associate, 64 Collective).
Panel Session Two on Unlocking Capital: Innovative Funding Strategies for the Creativity Industry featured panelists such as Investment Professional, MBO Capital, Folajimi Alli-Balogun; Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Rushing Tap, Soji Ogunnaike; Director, Chapel Hill Denham, Rewa Udoji and Entertainment veteran, Olisa Adibua. It was moderated by Founder, Lhaude Africa, Rhoda Aguonigho.
The third panel session on Advancing Sustainable Development in Africa – Navigating Challenges and Leveraging Opportunities featured Principal, Alitheia Capital, Oti Ilentamhen; CEO, Chief Executive Officer at ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment Ltd, Rachel More-Oshodi; Head of Project, GIZ/DTC Nigeria, Dr. Thubewa Diwani; Executive Board Member and Head, Financial Services, Africa Finance Corporation, Banji Fehintola, and Head, Technology, Media and Telecommunication, African Capital Alliance, Olubunmi Adeoye. The conversation was guided by Oluebube Anele (Impact Investing, WHO Foundation)
Grand Finale of the Colloquium 2025 Business Pitch Competition
Other highlights of the conference included the Grand Finale of the Colloquium 2025 Business Pitch Competition with Safyarn Crafts bagging the first prize of Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N600,000) and Varsigram taking the position of 1st runner-up with Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N400,000).
The judges of the Pitch Competition were: Olumide Ashade (Investment Analyst at TLCom); Fiyin Ogunlesi (Managing Partner, RegalStone Capital); Jadesola Campbell (Principal, Consonance); Chinyere Inya (Partner, Accelerate & Future Africa) and Prof. Sunday Adebisi (Director, Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre (ESDC, UNILAG).
The Colloquium
The Colloquium is an annual high-impact academic and professional development conference which started about 7 years ago. It is aimed at driving conversations on finance, technology, creativity, and sustainable development in Africa.
Watch the Colloquium 2025 here
Report: Ndidi J. Odinikaeze
Photographs: Samuel Dosumu & The Investment Society
