The Ikoyi Baptist Church has successfully hosted the 2025 edition of its annual Business and Career Fair, themed “Maximize Your Ground,” with a strong focus on empowering members to thrive in their careers and businesses while maintaining their faith.
The event, which has been running for almost a decade, returned this year after a brief break, offering a platform for professional growth, networking, and mentorship. It attracted entrepreneurs, professionals, corporate partners, and thought leaders from across sectors, all sharing insights on how to achieve balance between faith and fortune in the marketplace.
Senior Pastor Olusegun Adeleke explained that the fair was born out of the church’s commitment to supporting members beyond their spiritual needs. “We are concerned not only about the spiritual lives of our members but also about how they excel in the marketplace. This fair is designed to help our people experience supernatural increase in their businesses and careers, just as Luke 12 teaches about abundance,” he said.
Mrs. Ekhoe Ame-Ogie, chairperson of the 2025 edition, emphasized that the theme draws from Luke 12:16, which highlights the story of a man whose ground produced plentifully. “Everyone has a ground — it could be a talent, skill, idea, or enterprise. This fair is about helping participants discover, value, and maximize that ground,” she said.
The event featured panel discussions, networking sessions, and recruitment opportunities, providing participants with practical skills and exposure to industry trends. Panelists encouraged participants to focus on diligence, innovation, and relationship-building, while also seeking mentorship and continuous learning.
Dr. Victor Afolabi, a panelist spoke about the importance of social capital and integrity in business success. “Financial capital is important, but social capital and integrity often determine long-term success,” he noted.
Mrs. Ifeoma Abdullahi, a financial expert with Stanbic IBTC Bank, advised entrepreneurs to start small, understand their markets, and build expertise before seeking external funding. She also stressed the importance of mentorship and networking, describing them as essential for both career growth and business expansion.
Keynote speaker Niyi Adekunle, a leadership consultant and pastor of The Helper’s House, Lagos, urged participants to balance faith and strategy. He shared practical insights on building capacity, maintaining resilience, and using faith as a foundation for sustainable growth.
Participants praised the event for its practical relevance and spiritual depth, noting that it provided actionable knowledge to help them grow in their businesses and careers while staying rooted in their faith.
The Ikoyi Baptist Church leadership expressed hope that the lessons shared during the fair will yield measurable impact in members’ lives over the coming year.