The 4th Edition of the RUBY Summit 2026, organised by the NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW), Lagos Chapter, was held on Thursday, 30 July 2026, at the NECA House Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos. With the theme “Build for More: From Potential to Power,” the summit brought together aspiring and established women entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals, partners and exhibitors for a day of learning, networking and empowerment.
The event commenced with registration and networking before guests were formally welcomed by the Chairperson of NNEW Lagos Chapter, Dr. Ekaete Aniekan Etiebet, who encouraged participants to embrace growth opportunities, build sustainable businesses and maximise the power of collaboration. This was followed by remarks from the Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Mrs. Idayat Briggs, who appreciated the planning team, sponsors, partners and volunteers whose commitment made the summit a success. Goodwill messages were delivered by Mrs. Bolanle Edwards, Acting President of NNEW; Mrs. Fayo Williams, Chairman of the NNEW Governing Council; and Mr. Wale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of NECA.
The keynote address was delivered by Mrs. Joy Shittu-Igbodike, Founder and CEO of Jaebee Furniture, who shared her entrepreneurial journey and challenged participants to move beyond potential by building strong systems, embracing continuous learning and developing businesses that can thrive beyond the founder. She emphasised that sustainable growth requires resilience, intentional leadership and the willingness to keep improving.
One of the highlights of the summit was the Fireside Chat titled “The Entrepreneurial Journey: Lessons, Wins & Challenges,” featuring Mrs. Edobong Akpabio, Executive Director of Greenport Nigeria, and Mrs. Joy Shittu-Igbodike. The session offered practical insights on overcoming business challenges, the importance of networking, mentorship, building strong support systems and adapting to an ever-changing business environment. Participants were encouraged to invest in relationships, document business processes and create systems that enable long-term sustainability.
Participants also benefited from engaging sessions on nutrition and wellness, healthcare and insurance, while the breakfast networking session and business games created opportunities for meaningful interactions and collaboration among attendees.
The exhibition segment showcased products and services from women-owned businesses and corporate partners, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to promote their brands, connect with potential customers and explore business partnerships. Sponsors and exhibitors also received recognition for their invaluable support towards the success of the summit.
Another engaging session was the panel discussion themed “Turning Ideas into Influence,” featuring Osayuwamen Saleh, Group CEO of Parallax Media Group; Nkem Okocha, Founder and CEO of MamaMoni; and Joy Shittu-Igbodike. The panel explored strategies for building visible brands, leveraging media, creating sustainable business models and remaining intentional about personal and business growth. The speakers encouraged participants to become experts in their chosen fields, embrace visibility and consistently create value.
The summit also featured presentations from partners, including BOBO Drinks, as well as an inspiring session by Dr. Yemisi Adeyeye, Medical Director of Lifefount Hospital, titled “What’s Next?” She introduced participants to the RUBY implementation framework, encouraging them to reflect on their learnings, develop practical action plans, strengthen relationships built during the summit and measure their progress over the coming months.
The day concluded with exciting games, recognition of sponsors, a vote of thanks delivered by Mrs. Dominga Omolara Odebunmi, Vice Chairperson of NNEW Lagos Chapter, and a final networking session that allowed participants to deepen connections and celebrate a successful event.
RUBY Summit 2026 successfully lived up to its theme by equipping women entrepreneurs with practical knowledge, inspiring stories and valuable connections needed to transform their potential into lasting impact. The event reaffirmed NNEW Lagos Chapter’s commitment to empowering women through mentorship, education, collaboration and enterprise development while creating opportunities for women-owned businesses to thrive.