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a 2-day business and investment Summit
Connecting over 150 business owners and investors in the Hospitality and Service Industry across Africa.
The fascinating two-day Hospitality Business Summit is one of the highlights of the calendar for the Hospitality Industry. Hosted by Vertiline Synergy Limited, a leading hospitality consulting company, this summit provides a unique platform for industry professionals, business leaders, and investors to convene and mold the future of the sector.
The first day of the summit will kick off with a series of engaging business topics led by esteemed members of the public and private sectors. These insightful sessions will cover a wide range of subjects, including market trends, investment opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable practices. Attendees will gain valuable insights from panel discussions featuring industry experts, who will share their experiences, knowledge, and strategies for success.
The second day of the event will be a truly memorable occasion as we celebrate the industry’s achievements with a spectacular gala night. This fun-filled evening will be a culmination of networking, entertainment, and recognition. During the gala night, special recognition awards will be presented to outstanding hospitality businesses in Nigeria, honoring their contributions to the industry’s growth and excellence. It will be a night of glamour, celebration, and inspiration, as we acknowledge and applaud the remarkable accomplishments of these businesses.
5 unmissable panel sessions by inspiring speakers.
Honorable Minister of Tourism, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF Nigeria
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
president, Lagos chamber of commerce and industry
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
GUEST SPEAKER
Director, Rejuvenee Spa & Wellness Centre
Topic: Hospitality and Wellbeing
GUEST SPEAKER
Founder, suffy travels ltd.
Topic: Tourism Promotion and Destination Marketing.
WORKSHOP
Director, New Growth Areas Directorate, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS)
Topic: Understanding:
Topic: Community Engagement and Social Impact in Hospitality and Tourism Investments
Topic: Community Engagement and Social Impact in Hospitality and Tourism Investments
Topic: The Effect of Government Policies on Businesses in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Nigeria.
Topic: The Effect of Government Policies on Businesses in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Nigeria.
Topic: Human Capital as a Key to Success in the Hospitality Industry
Topic: The Effect of Government Policies on Businesses in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Nigeria.
Topic: Investing in Nigeria: Market Entry Strategies for Foreign Hospitality Brands.
Topic: The Effect of Government Policies on Businesses in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Nigeria.
Topic: The Effect of Government Policies on Businesses in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Nigeria.
Managing Director, Mac-Folly Hospitality Limited
Topic: Investing in Nigeria: Market Entry Strategies for Foreign Hospitality Brands.
Team Lead, Women in Business Segment, W Initiative, Access Bank
Topic: Women in Hospitality
Topic: Leveraging Hospitality Channels for FMCG Products.
Topic: Leveraging Hospitality Channels for FMCG Products
Topic: Human Capital as a Key to Success in the Hospitality Industry
Topic: Investing in Nigeria: Market Entry Strategies for Foreign Hospitality Brands.
Category manager for Dairy, PROMASIDOR NIGERIA LIMITED
Topic: Leveraging Hospitality Channels for FMCG Products.
Topic: Human Capital as a Key to Success in the Hospitality Industry
Principal Lecturer, National INSTITUTE FOR HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM (NIHOTOUR)
Topic: Human Capital as a Key to Success in the Hospitality Industry
CEO, County support consulting
Topic: An Overview of the Hospitality Industry.
Head: Channel & Category Development Manager, FrieslandCampina WAMCO
Topic: Leveraging Hospitality Channels for FMCG Products.
With a wealth of experience and expertise in the industry, Vertiline Synergy Limited is dedicated to providing exceptional consulting services to businesses in the hospitality sector. As the host of this prestigious event, Vertiline Synergy Limited brings its deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the hospitality industry. Our team of seasoned with consultants is committed to helping businesses thrive and succeed in a highly competitive market. We offer comprehensive solutions that encompass strategic planning, operational definition efficiency, customer experience enhancement, and sustainable practices. At Vertiline Synergy Limited, we believe that collaboration and knowledge sharing are vital for the growth of the Hospitality industry. Through the Maiden Edition Hospitality Business Summit, we aim to foster an environment that promotes dialogue, innovation, and partnerships. We are passionate about driving the industry forward, and this summit serves as a testament to our commitment to the success of our clients and the overall development of the hospitality sector. By choosing Vertiline Synergy Limited as the host of the summit, attendees can expect a well organized event that brings together industry experts, thought leaders, and influential stakeholders. Our team's extensive network and industry connections ensure that the summit will provide a platform for meaningful engagement, empowering attendees with valuable insights, strategies, and opportunities.
Contact Us
+234 705 331 0977
Head of Entity
Banks Luxury Serviced Apartments
Shola Johnson is a hospitality consultant who epitomizes personalized and proactive customer service, professional hospitality consultations, business management, and operations, offering technologically advanced accommodations for a first-class hospitality experience. Over the past few years, she has redefined luxury in hospitality through exceptional design concepts and furnishings, coupled with providing comprehensive property listings and short-term rental services, establishing herself as a leader in the industry.
Committed to setting the standard for luxury, comfort, and excellence in the hospitality industry, Shola Johnson focuses on providing secure, tranquil, and opulent fully furnished serviced apartments, elevating customer experiences, and giving them the ultimate feeling at home while away from home.
Her vision remains firmly focused on championing a future in the hospitality sector in Nigeria, ensuring guests experience unrivalled comfort and luxury while maintaining prominence and unmatched professionalism, innovation, and integrity.
Presently, Shola Johnson serves as the Head of Entity at Banks Luxury Serviced Apartments, where she manages a team of over 35 personnel across 4 locations, totalling 25 serviced apartments.
She is a member of the International Hospitality Institute (IHI) and The Women in Hospitality, Nigeria (WIHN), and has gained recognition within and without the company as a self-driven, goal-oriented hospitality professional with a proven track record to show, turning the fortune of the business from gloom to bloom in terms of client satisfaction, innovation, revenue management, and record-keeping. employee engagement, and accountability.
GENERAL MANAGER
LAGOS STATE PARKS & GARDENS AGENCY (LASPARK)
Adetoun Ibilola Popoola, born in 1984, attended the prestigious Queen’s College in Lagos.
An Alumnus of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), she bagged a B.Sc. in Business Administration in 2004. Adetoun also obtained an M.Sc. in Marketing and Communications Management from the University of Hull, UK in 2009.
Adetoun started her career in Banking as an Executive Trainee with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc in 2006. Her passion for excellence earned her exceptional promotion to the position of Banking Officer in 2012 and then Senior Banking Officer in 2015. With over 10 years experience in project management, customer experience and quality management, she joined the Strategy and Corporate Transformation Group of the Bank of Industry in 2018 as an Assistant Manager where she played an exceptional role in the success of the 2019 ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Surveillance Audit for the Bank of Industry.
Adetoun has attended several seminars and workshops within and outside the country, including: ISO 9001:2018 (Quality Management System) Internal Audit Certification; Root-Cause Analysis based on Lean Six Sigma Methodology Certification Training (by British Standards Institute); ISO Integrated Management System – Lead Implementer (Certification Training) (by British Standards Institute), among others.
In 2019, Adetoun was appointed the General Manager of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK). Since her assumption of office, she has intensely propagated the beautification, recreation and environmental sustainability vision of the State Government through various initiatives, especially leveraging
partnerships and collaborations.
She recently completed an executive course on Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies at the University of Cambridge, Judge Business School.
Adetoun is happily married with children.
POLICY ADVISER
CONSULATE GENERAL, KINDOM OF NETHERLANDS IN LAGOS
Opeyemi Oriniowo is a result-oriented leader in trade and international development, with expertise in evidence-based public policy research, advocacy, and implementation.
With over a decade of experience, he has worked across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, facilitating partnerships, raising capital, coordinating research, and policy interventions with development objectives.
Currently, He serves as a Policy Adviser on Economic Affairs & Public Diplomacy at the Consulate-General of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Lagos, where he oversees the Netherlands-Nigeria portfolios on Circular Economy, public Infrastructure, Services, and creative industries. He plays a crucial role in analyzing
economic developments, fostering bilateral trade, and supporting policy input between the Netherlands and Nigeria.
Before this, he was the first Director at the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) secretariat, a $10m fund put together by the MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, and LEAP Africa to respond to the critical need for effective youth engagement in social, political,
and economic domains by providing resources, capacity building, and a platform for policy advocacy.
In 2017, he founded RINDEV Consulting as a research and development firm providing the services of Market intelligence & Business development, Development advisory, and program management in frontier markets. With a growing staff strength of 21 people and offices in Lagos, Abuja, and Adamawa, the firm has active portfolios in FinTech, Agriculture, Climate Finance, and ESG consulting. His firm has collaborated with notable clients such as USAID, Mercy Corps, IFDC, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Synergos, Mikasboks -Government institutions such as the office of the Vice-President of Nigeria, Nigeria’s Governor’s Forum, Nigeria Export Promotion Zone Authority (NEPZA), Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Lagos, Kaduna, Kogi state governments.
He is a fellow of the New Union for the Development of Green Economy (NUDGE), Netherlands, a member of the Nigeria Circular Economy Working Group (NCEWG), a member of the Lagos Water Partnership, Co-Founder of the Youth-led and Youth-focused non-profit – The Transformative Leadership and Sustainable Development Initiative (TLSDI), and he sits on the Advisory board of Circular Business Platform (CBP), ElectHER, etc. He has been honored as one of the top voices in policy, research, and advocacy in Nigeria.
He has a Master’s degree in International Development from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, and he is a PhD in Management candidate at the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.
Opeyemi’s expertise and contributions to public policy have been featured in leading media platforms such as the Economist, Africa Report, All.Africa.com, Premium Times, Vanguard, Business Day, This Day, and Punch Newspapers. His commitment to sustainable development, youth, and women empowerment continues to drive his impactful work across Africa.
Founder, Tirta Ayu Spa
BUSINESS MANAGER: TOURISM & CREATIVE ARTS
STERLING BANK
Abiola Adelana is the Tourism and Creative Art Business Manager at Sterling Bank, where her main task is to revitalize the tourism business, especially within Nigeria, and set up a sustainable model to utilise finance in developing domestic tourism. She is a seasoned banker with over 15 years of experience in risk management, strategy, and retail banking.
Abiola is a member of the Domestic Tourism and Economic Development working committee for Nigeria, as coordinated by the Nigeria Tourism Development Commission.
She is a trained economist from the great Obafemi Awolowo University, has an MBA in Finance, an Executive Education programme on Sustainability in Business at Harvard Business School, is a CIBN member, and is passionate about contributing her skills and training to putting down a solid structure for local tourism in Nigeria to become a major GDP driver for the country.
Under her watch, the Tourism Business Desk and, by extension, Sterling Bank have won multiple awards in Nigeria and internationally for their role in being the first Nigerian financial institution to recognize the potential and promote domestic tourism in Nigeria.
On a personal level, Abiola has received several awards for her contributions to society.
Abiola is married and blessed with wonderful children. She loves music, cooking, and building strong and beneficial relationships.
Her major goal is to see Nigeria become the prime Tourism destination in Africa and she believes strongly in the possibility of this project.
MANAGING PARTNER
VERTILINE SYNERGY LIMITED
Ms. Sharon Ashinze is a distinguished Business leader, Operations Expert, Strategist and philanthropist.
Ms. Ashinze is the Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Vertiline Synergy Ltd, a renowned hospitality consulting and solutions company. Since its establishment in 2014, Vertiline Synergy Ltd has garnered a stellar reputation in Dubai, Lagos, and Abuja, offering innovative services and pioneering solutions within the hospitality sector.
Ms. Sharon is a management information systems expert, she started off her career as a banker, moving on to start her own business.
With over 12 years of experience in operations management, Ms. Ashinze has emerged as a dynamic force in the hospitality industry.
As a seasoned operations manager, Ms. Ashinze has held pivotal roles in numerous companies, showcasing her exceptional skills in optimizing operational efficiency and fostering business growth. Her extensive background in the field has earned her degrees, certifications, and accolades, cementing her reputation as a respected industry professional.
Ms. Ashinze’s philanthropic endeavors has spanned over 15 years, reflecting her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact. She is the co-founder of Golden Little Lights Organization, an influential NGO. From its official launch in 2018, Golden Little Organization has fed over 5000 children and their families across Nigeria.
Through Initiatives such as The Prison Reform Project (so far has facilitated the freedom of 6 wrongfully incarcerated individuals), The Feeding Initiative, The Back To School Initiative and The Annual Christmas and Children’s Day Party for 500 Underprivileged Children,
Ms. Sharon’s organization has provided critical support and hope to thousands of individuals and families.
CEO
SAVOIR FAIRE HOSPITALITY LIMITED
Nishita Devanand is an accomplished entrepreneur and a creative brand and content marketing specialist who plays a pivotal role in the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria. As one of the Board of Directors for Savoir Faire Hospitality LTD, she spearheads the company’s innovative ventures, which encompass two distinctive brands: The NAVI App (or NAVI Africa) and SAVOIR Creative Agency. Her client portfolio includes international brands such as Hard Rock Café, Maison Eric Kayser, Coca-Cola Hellenic, and more.
Nishita’s accolades include the Pyne Awards Africa’s 2023 Best Initiative using Technology and 2022 Rising Star Award, recognition as one of the Top 10 Trailblazing Women in Africa’s Hospitality and Tourism, and NAVI Africa’s nomination as one of Nigeria’s 35 Fastest Growing Hospitality Startups. She is also now the Vice President of Women in Hospitality, Nigeria
Founder
Lost In Lagos
Tannaz Bahnam is an entrepreneur, businesswoman, lifestyle curator, and mother of three. Born in Iran and raised in London and the US, Tannaz holds an undergraduate degree in International Relations and a Master’s degree in Diplomatic Relations earned in New York and Paris, respectively.
After moving to Nigeria in 2008 while working for National Geographic Magazine, Tannaz created the premier guide to Lagos, Lost in Lagos. Lost in Lagos quickly grew to Lost in a City, launching also in Abuja, with events such as Restaurant Week and publications, Lost in Lagos and Lost in Abuja Magazines, created to offer engaging activations and content to their followers while creating more platforms to give businesses more exposure.
In 2022, the first season of her reality show, The Kitchen Nigeria, aired on Africa Magic Family. Season 2 was aired in 2023. In 2022, she launched the tech arm of LIAC, the Awari App. Awari is a discovery platform that gives users access to discovering their city and provides lifestyle SMEs with tools to acquire and retain customers. Awari is designed to empower SMEs in emerging markets by offering them innovative solutions to attract new clients, retain existing ones, gather customer data, build brand loyalty, and process transactions seamlessly.
In addition to LIAC, in 2010, she launched her own brand of chai latte, T-Kup Chai Latte, an instant tea mix that is currently sold and served in locations around Lagos and Abuja.
VICE PRESIDENT
FEDERATION OF TOURISM ASSOCIATIONS OF NIGERIA, SOUTH-WEST DIVISION
Tunde Kolade was elected Vice President, South West, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) in 2012.
He successfully held the maiden edition of Ooduafest in Osogbo. Oodua Festival is the first regional event by the FTAN, South-West He is also the President, Hotels Car Hire Association Of Nigeria.
GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR
ORÍLÉ RESTAURANT AND BAR
Bimpe Fashogbon is the Group Managing Director of the SO Group of Companies, a thriving hospitality conglomerate that encompasses three renowned indigenous brands: Fries and Flavors, Orile, and Nosh Premium Experience. With a diverse and impressive background, Bimpe has established herself as a formidable leader in the hospitality industry.
Bimpe graduated from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University with an LLB (Hons) degree, showcasing her academic excellence and strong foundations. She is a self-taught chef who draws inspiration from her travels around the world. She has over 17 years of extensive experience in the hospitality sector, having successfully led three distinct businesses within the SO Group. Her businesses boast several clients, including MTN, Tek Experts, Andela, and more.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bimpe demonstrated her adaptability and strategic thinking by pivoting her Fries and Flavors brand to focus on the delivery of food trays. This move allowed her businesses to thrive even in challenging times, cementing her reputation as a savvy and innovative leader.
Bimpe’s entrepreneurial prowess has led to the expansion of the SO Group. In 2020, she opened the first Orile restaurant, and in 2024, she launched the Nosh Premium Experience, further diversifying the group’s offerings and solidifying its position in the market.
Bimpe’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in the growth and success of the SO Group of Companies. With her dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence, she has transformed the hospitality landscape and continues to drive the group’s expansion and success as an indigenous Nigerian brand.
OWNER
JARA BEACH
Mark Slade is the co-founder and Managing Partner of Little Company Nigeria Limited – a Nigerian family-run hospitality business, wholly owned and operated. Starting small with big ambitions. Established in 2017, and initially operating in 2019, Little Company Nigeria Limited owns key brands like Jara Beach Resort, Jollof by Jara restaurant and LCNL Academy.
Mark has extensive general management and operational success in Nigeria and across Sub Saharan Africa in hospitality, media, marketing and property development. He has called Lagos home since 2008.
FOUNDER
THE SHARK EXPRESS
Ibinabo Oruitemeka, is the founder of the Shark Express.
Co-founder Messenger
Amanda Etuk is an accomplished, results-driven business management professional with deep experience in supply chain management, logistics and distribution, and sales and marketing.
Amanda has a proven track record of business optimization. She has driven the competitiveness of organizations in the healthcare industry, the FMCG sector, e-commerce, and logistics, where her passion lies. In all her roles, she has delivered business and revenue growth and efficiency gains, and successfully strengthened client relationships.
She co-founded Messenger, a logistics platform that provides financing and aggregation for end-to-end logistics and supply chain operations. Messenger efficiently connects businesses to their customers through logistics solutions. Our mobile applications connect individuals and businesses to nearby logistics assets, while also supporting operators through asset financing and operations support.
Messenger is poised towards becoming the preferred partner and a leader in logistics in the city of Abuja with plans to expand to other economically viable cities across Nigeria and Africa.
The team has successfully negotiated new businesses and partnerships with the likes of Jumia Food, Omnibiz, amongst many others. Messenger’s delivery hailing platform lis available on IOS and Appstore.
The company has been lauded by various organizations, She Leads Africa, The Africa Business Heroes and has received funding and support from The Baobab Network. The company is currently raising its pre-seed round.
Amanda holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Lagos and a masters ‘degree in Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management attained at the University of Sussex. Her recent career experience includes senior roles at 54gene, Zippy Logistics and Hygeia HMO.
FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR
K21 MEDIA
Kosi Ofodile, is the Founder and Creative Director of K21 Media, a boutique creative agency specialising in videography, social media management, email marketing services & brand communications, and Studio Koi, a full-service interior design firm. With over six years of professional experience, her expertise spans across video production, creative strategy, brand partnerships, storytelling, digital marketing, and promotion.
Her journey into the world of creativity and marketing began after completing her BA in International Business at the University of Liverpool. Returning to Nigeria, She commenced her professional career at Spice TV & Soundcity, a subsidiary of Consolidated Media Associates (CMA) Ltd. Here, she honed her skills in storytelling and conceptualization through video production, mastering the art of transforming ideas from conception to script, and finally to production, resulting in refined final products.
Small to medium businesses, entrepreneurs & individual creators are underserved in the Nigerian creative industry as high production costs create a barrier to accessible production services. This led to the birth of K21 Media. It was founded with a goal to provide accessible video production and digital marketing services in a world where the need to express yourself or brand digitally is becoming increasingly important.
Through visual storytelling, content creation, and digital marketing, she has had the privilege of delivering value to over 35 brands, enhancing their brand visibility, expanding their customer base, and driving year-on-year revenue growth. Utilising these strategies, K21 has enabled brands to successfully penetrate new markets, product sectors, and industries, both locally and internationally.
MD/CEO
BURGER KING
Rushdi Ibrahim is a Sri Lankan national with over 30 years of experience in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry, has an extensive record across various global brands in four continents. A graduate of Royal College Colombo and holding a Master of Science degree in International Business Management from Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland.
Rushdi has demonstrated strong leadership skills in country and regional roles that he has held. His focus has been delivering exceptional business results through people development, process enhancement, operational excellence, flawless execution and operating as designed across well-known brands such as McDonald’s, Subway, and Burger King.
Rushdi began his career with McDonald’s in Saudi Arabia in 1996, holding various leadership roles in different countries. His most recent role was with global operations for McDonalds high growth markets based out of Singapore, and he has won the prestigious President’s Awards twice during his tenure. He also worked in a Regional Operations leadership capacity with Subway, the world’s largest fast-food chain, and later with Kudu, a local Saudi brand with 400 restaurants leading different facets of the business.
Rushdi Ibrahim is an accomplished leader with extensive experience in managing direct employees across diverse skill sets. He is known for his passion and drive, focusing on accomplishment-driven goals and objectives aligned with global market trends. Rushdi’s leadership style emphasizes building high-performing teams that can drive positive change and transformation within large organizations.
His proven track record demonstrates his ability to produce outstanding performance management results, enabling organizations to achieve their goals and exceed expectations. Rushdi’s expertise in coaching and mentoring teams has been instrumental in fostering an environment of growth, innovation, and excellence.
Before becoming COO and now MD/CEO of Burger King Nigeria, Rushdi held the position of Country General Manager for Olayan Food Service in Saudi Arabia, managing four brands across 42 cities in Saudi Arabia, including Burger King, Texas Chicken, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Turnstone Pizza.
CENTER COORDINATOR, NATIONAL SKILL QUALIFICATION (NSQ)
LAGOON INSTITUTE OF HOSPITALITY STUDIES
Otobong Ukpe is the Centre Coordinator for National Skill Qualification (NSQ) At Lagoon Institute of Hospitality Studies.
She holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Barcelona Executive Business School, Spain and a Master in International Tourism and Hospitality Management from Universidad Catolica San Antonio Murcia, Spain.
She also holds an undergraduate degree in Industrial and Production Engineering from University of Ibadan. She is an External Quality Assurer of assessment in processes and practices.
Her main interests centre around the training of young school leavers- focusing more on the less privilege- to become competent and employable in different areas of hospitality so as to contribute to the reduction of poverty, and an increase access to good work.
Prior to joining Lagoon Institute of Hospitality, Otobong has also worked as a Facility Manager at Wavecrest Hall Residence and at Iroto Conference Centre.
She had also carried out many volunteering job such as coordinator of leadership programs in different secondary schools.
