That was the mindset behind the Texcellence Prelude 2025, a high-level leadership gathering hosted by CWG PLC in Lagos, Nigeria. Designed as a curtain-raiser to the larger Texcellence Conference coming this October, the Prelude brought together an audience of C-suite executives, policymakers, tech disruptors, and ecosystem enablers. But more than a gathering, it was a moment of clarity in an age of uncertainty. 

The Psychology of High-Stakes Decisions 

At the heart of the event was keynote speaker Caspar Berry, a globally renowned expert in decision science who has advised Fortune 500 leaders and even trained actors for films like Casino Royale. In his trademark energetic style, Caspar didn’t offer feel-good motivation; he offered frameworks. 

He explored the emotional and psychological terrain of leadership today. Emphasizing that uncertainty isn't a sign to stall, it’s a sign to lead differently. To take bold decisions even when you cannot see the full picture. 

The Prelude also featured grounded, deeply personal insights from some of Africa’s most influential decision-makers, each navigating leadership through uncertainty, and how they have been able to balance the risk-reward equation in their different sectors. 

Relevance, it turns out, isn’t a given, it’s earned through hard, often uncomfortable choices. When it became clear that legacy systems couldn’t serve the future of banking, Abubakar Suleiman, the CEO of Sterling Bank, was left with no option but to build a core banking solution from scratch that placed purpose above tradition. Reminding the room that real innovation isn’t safe, it’s necessary. 

See more pictures from the Texcellence Prelude.

Another speaker brought it home with a story from her personal experience. When outdated public systems nearly cost her something precious, she realized the danger of leadership that avoids hard decisions. She spoke about the kind of courage it takes to modernize broken institutions, especially when no one else is willing to touch them. That’s the kind of leadership Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, DG/CEO of NIMC, called for, one rooted in empathy and action. 

The room grew even more reflective as one panelist, Dr. Julius Oni, founder of OrthoNigeria shared why he walked away from a thriving surgical career in the U.S. to build orthopedic healthcare systems in Nigeria. It wasn’t just about returning home, it was about creating infrastructures that would help save lives and preserve relationships.  

And in the world of private equity, Yomi Jemibewon, founding partner at CardinalStone,  shared how a near-failing business turned into a success story not through luck, but through intentional, and informed pivots. He reminded us that leadership isn’t always glamorous, it’s often quiet, persistent work behind the scenes. 

Finally, the CEO of CWG PLC made it clear that in tech environments, it’s not perfection that wins, it’s speed. Waiting for complete certainty may feel safe, but in fast-moving markets, hesitation can be the biggest risk of all. “If you don’t move fast enough,” said Adewale Adeyipo, “the world will move on without you.” His call? Build cultures that value agility and empower bold action. 

The Texcellence Prelude challenged attendees to rethink traditional success metrics and embrace new ones: Resilience over perfection. Speed over predictability. Usefulness over status. Whether in fintech, governance, healthcare, or private equity, the leaders in the room weren’t just sharing, they were learning from each other. And the consensus? Africa’s future is only as bold as the bets its leaders are willing to make. 

The deeper dive happens this October as the Texcellence Conference 2025 returns bigger, broader, and even bolder. It’s where the sparks from the Prelude evolve into full-scale strategies. This year’s theme, Future-Forward Africa, asks a simple but urgent question: What does it take to lead the continent into a future that works for everyone? 

It means prioritizing innovation over imitation. Building ecosystems, not just enterprises. Designing for scale, sustainability, and social impact. And above all, it means empowering leaders who are willing to bet not just on technology, but on talent, trust, and transformation. 

So if you’ve ever asked yourself, “What does it take to be smart in uncertain times?” — Texcellence 2025 is where you’ll find the answers. And the people building them. Because the future isn’t waiting, it’s already being written, and Africa has the pen. 

Click here to register for the Texcellence Conference 2025.