The School of Service will convene business leaders, governance experts, executive assistants, HR professionals and leadership practitioners from across Nigeria for its 2026 Grand Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, 5 September 2026, in Lagos.
The annual ceremony will celebrate the graduation of a new cohort of Executive Service Professionals while highlighting the growing importance of Executive Service as a strategic profession that enables effective leadership, organizational excellence and institutional success.
Over the years, the role of Executive Assistants and Executive Service Professionals has evolved beyond administrative support to become a critical function within modern organizations. Today’s executive professionals serve as trusted advisors, strategic partners and operational leaders who help executives make better decisions, improve productivity and drive organizational performance.
Recognizing this shift, the School of Service was established to equip professionals with the competencies, leadership mindset and practical skills required to thrive in today’s executive environment. Through its professional development programmes, the institution is building a new generation of Executive Service Professionals committed to excellence, professionalism and lifelong learning.
The 2026 Grand Graduation Ceremony will feature an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers and industry leaders, including Dr. Linus Okorie, MFR, Leadership Development Expert, Founder of GOTNI Leadership Centre and Head of Faculty at the School of Service; Catherine Abagun, COA, Corporate Governance and Executive Leadership Professional and Chairman of the School’s Advisory Board; and Abiola Adelana, Head of Tourism & Creative Business at Sterling Bank and Faculty Member at the School of Service.
The ceremony will also feature remarks by Gusi Tobby KER, Founder and Executive Director of the School of Service and one of Africa’s leading Executive Service Coaches, who has championed the professionalization of Executive Service across the continent.
Speaking ahead of the graduation ceremony, Gusi Tobby KER said:
“Executive Service is no longer a support function; it is a strategic profession. At School of Service, we are committed to raising professionals who not only support leadership but contribute meaningfully to the success, effectiveness and legacy of the leaders and organizations they serve. Our graduates are equipped not just with technical skills, but with the mindset, professionalism and leadership capacity required to create lasting value wherever they serve.”
Beyond celebrating academic achievement, the ceremony will provide a platform for conversations on leadership, organizational effectiveness and the future of Executive Service in Africa. It will also offer graduates the opportunity to connect with senior executives, governance professionals and industry leaders who continue to shape the profession.
Expected attendees include CEOs, business executives, executive assistants, chiefs of staff, HR leaders, governance professionals, public sector leaders, corporate partners, alumni, families and friends of the graduating class.
The event reinforces the School of Service’s mission to elevate Executive Service into a globally recognized profession by developing professionals distinguished by competence, character and excellence. As organizations increasingly recognize the value of strategic executive support, the School continues to prepare professionals who are helping leaders perform better, organizations grow stronger and institutions build lasting impact across Africa.
