Fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy convened for an engaging fireside conversation with Dr. Chinyere Almona, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), on the theme Strategic Diplomacy and Global Influence. The session offered a refreshing shift from conventional discourse, inviting Fellows to explore leadership as a deliberate practice of influence, positioning, and relationship-building in a globally connected world.

Dr. Almona reframed diplomacy beyond formal negotiations, presenting it as a continuous and intentional process of shaping perceptions, building trust, and driving outcomes through strategic engagement. Drawing from her extensive experience in economic and institutional leadership, she illustrated that influence is never incidental; rather, it is cultivated through consistency, clarity of purpose, and the ability to deliver value in every interaction.

She further challenged Fellows to develop a strong sense of self-awareness while remaining deeply attentive to the interests and perspectives of others. According to her, effective diplomacy begins with understanding one’s own values and objectives, but matures through empathy, active listening, and the capacity to navigate complexity with emotional intelligence and precision.

The session concluded with a powerful reminder that leadership in today’s world demands intentionality in relationships, authenticity in expression, and discipline in listening. Fellows were charged to recognize their value, lead with purpose, and embrace diplomacy as a strategic tool for impact in both local and global spaces.

The Fireside Chat ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Fellow Abdulazeez Abdulazeez Olumide, who expressed gratitude to Dr. Almona for the insightful engagement and to the Academy for consistently creating platforms that inspire growth, reflection, and transformational leadership