Yomi Otubela to Chair The Industry Newspaper’s 2026 Top 50 Companies of Impact
Renowned entrepreneur and educationist, Chief Yomi Otubela, has been appointed Chairman of the 2026 edition of The Industry Newspaper’s flagship project, Top 50 Nigerian Companies of Impact.
The annual initiative by The Industry Newspaper, Nigeria’s leading publication covering marketing, media and the business economy, recognises companies making significant contributions to national development through innovation, resilience, job creation and sustainable growth.
The 2026 edition, themed “Building Resilience, Driving Growth: Nigerian Companies Shaping the Next Decade,” will be unveiled at a special awards and networking luncheon scheduled for Friday, August 21, 2026, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Otubela, who brings decades of experience in entrepreneurship and education, is the President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and Founder/CEO of Lagooz Schools, one of Nigeria’s prominent educational institutions.
Under his leadership, Lagooz Schools has continued to promote academic excellence, innovative learning and youth development, with a strong emphasis on technology integration, curriculum delivery and talent development.
As an entrepreneur and education advocate, Otubela has consistently championed greater private-sector participation in education while advocating policies that promote enterprise development, skills acquisition and human capital investment.
His contributions have also strengthened conversations around the role of entrepreneurs, SMEs and established businesses in driving sustainable economic development and building a more competitive Nigerian workforce.
As Chairman of the 2026 Top 50 Companies of Impact project, Otubela is expected to provide strategic guidance to the selection process, deliver the Chairman’s Address at the awards luncheon and lead discussions on how businesses can deepen their impact through innovation, sound governance and social responsibility.
Commenting on the appointment, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of The Industry Newspaper, Goddie Ofose, said Otubela’s track record made him an ideal choice to lead the project.
“We are honoured to have Chief Yomi Otubela chair this year’s Top 50. He embodies the spirit of impact we seek to celebrate — building institutions, empowering people and creating value that outlives quarterly reports.
“His experience as both an entrepreneur and educationist makes him uniquely positioned to spotlight companies that are not just profitable, but purposeful,” Ofose said.
The Top 50 Nigerian Companies of Impact 2026 will spotlight leading businesses across sectors including banking, energy, manufacturing, healthcare, technology, aviation and education.
The special edition is expected to reach C-suite executives, investors, policymakers and other key stakeholders across Nigeria and the Nigerian diaspora, providing a platform to celebrate businesses contributing meaningfully to the country’s economic and social transformation.