TEDxLagos recently commemorated a significant milestone, celebrating its tenth anniversary with an inspiring event themed “Woven Together.” Held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the prestigious Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, located within the National Arts Theatre, Lagos, this edition marked a decade of fostering innovative ideas and creative exchange. The event served as a vibrant hub, drawing together some of Nigeria’s most brilliant minds from diverse sectors including business, culture, and innovation, for an entire day dedicated to insightful conversation, creative expression, and community building.

The day's program meticulously captured the very essence of TEDxLagos' longstanding mission: to champion connection and collaboration. Following a warm welcome that set an engaging tone, attendees were immersed in three distinct sessions. These sessions featured an inspiring lineup of 14 speakers, whose contributions continue to shape Nigeria's creative and social landscapes. In addition to thought-provoking talks, the event included interactive workshops designed for practical engagement and the exciting TEDx Global Idea Search, a worldwide TED initiative aimed at discovering new thinkers whose groundbreaking ideas could potentially advance to the prestigious TED stage.

The distinguished roster of speakers included several prominent figures. Among them were entertainer and entrepreneur Bovi Ugboma; the award-winning dancer and creative director Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau, widely known as Kaffy; spoken word artist Benita Maria Kelechi-Opara; visual storyteller Paul Ninson; disability advocate Eva Chisom-Chukwunelo; and paediatrician and health content creator Dr. Ayodele Renner. Each speaker offered unique perspectives, contributing to the rich tapestry of ideas shared throughout the day.

The afternoon segment of the event spotlighted the TED Global Idea Search, a critical component where nine finalists presented their innovative ideas, each meticulously crafted to inspire positive change across the globe. The audience actively participated, providing live feedback and enthusiastic applause, which formed an integral part of the evaluation process. This interactive session powerfully reaffirmed Lagos’ expanding influence within the global TEDx community and underscored its pivotal role as a launchpad for African voices seeking to share their stories and ideas on a worldwide platform.

Beyond the captivating main stage presentations, TEDxLagos fostered deeper connections through a series of practical breakout sessions, meticulously structured around principles of learning and collaboration. The Creator’s Economy session provided a vital platform for Nigerian creatives and digital entrepreneurs to explore effective strategies for sustainably building and monetising their craft, benefiting from invaluable insights shared by industry leaders such as Dare Art-Alade. Simultaneously, the Storytelling breakout session, guided by facilitators like Oluwadunsin Sanya, led participants through the intricate art of crafting authentic narratives that resonate deeply and foster genuine human connection. Furthermore, the Founder’s Connect session offered a more intimate and supportive environment, enabling entrepreneurs to openly share their experiences regarding scaling ideas, ensuring venture sustainability, and maintaining resilience in the challenging entrepreneurial landscape, with guidance from ecosystem builders including Ebunoluwa Dosunmu. Each of these sessions resonated strongly with the overarching “Woven Together” theme, powerfully emphasising how collaborative efforts across various industries, generations, and communities are instrumental in strengthening the collective creative fabric of Lagos.

Reflecting on this significant milestone, Mercy Akamo, Convener and Licensee of TEDxLagos, shared her sentiments, stating, “It’s always a special moment bringing to life TEDxLagos, but this anniversary felt different. Seeing every speaker pour their heart, time, and effort into their talks was powerful. For me, it’s about how each voice adds to a bigger story, one that keeps inspiring people to think boldly and act with purpose. Every time we gather, it reminds me that this platform truly belongs to the community that makes it thrive.”

The event concluded gracefully with poignant reflections, an engaging live performance, and an evening networking session that seamlessly transitioned into an afterparty. This comprehensive culmination provided a fitting conclusion to a day rich in ideas, creativity, and profound connections. After a remarkable ten years, TEDxLagos continues to distinguish itself as one of Nigeria’s most respected thought-leadership spaces—a dynamic nexus where compelling storytelling, cutting-edge innovation, and fruitful collaboration converge. The 10th anniversary edition triumphantly reaffirmed its enduring legacy as a vibrant, living network of ideas and experiences that are actively shaping Lagos’ identity as Africa’s undeniable creative and innovation capital.