On March 6, 2026, women business leaders converged in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria, for the impactful Under 40 CEOs HerStage 2026 event. This gathering, proudly presented by Morning Fresh: The Care We Share as its headline sponsor, coincided with International Women’s Day celebrations and was centered around the inspiring theme, “Give to Gain: Redesigning Power for Shared Prosperity.” The core objective of the event was to foster practical business development through meticulously structured networking opportunities, competitive business challenges, and insightful conversations with a panel of seasoned entrepreneurs.

The event featured six distinguished speakers who shared their valuable insights: Dr. Mosun Belo Olusoga, Ife Durosinmi Etti, Dr. Glory Edozien, Folasade Femi Lawal, Ochanya Dan Ugo, and Motunde Ibironke. Their contributions enriched the discussions and provided actionable advice to the attendees.

BellaNaija, a prominent media platform, partnered with Under 40 CEOs to support this significant event. For years, BellaNaija has been a staunch advocate for celebrating the achievements of African women across various sectors, including entertainment, culture, and lifestyle. This collaboration marked a natural extension of that commitment into the realm of business development, underscoring the belief that women entrepreneurs deserve robust platforms and unwavering support. BellaNaija's involvement brought considerable credibility and extended reach to HerStage, effectively attracting women business leaders who actively seek professionally designed networking environments and substantive dialogues crucial for growth. The partnership reflected a deep understanding of the vital need for women building businesses to access strong networks, mentorship, and environments conducive to meaningful engagement.

Throughout the day, attendees engaged actively in various highlights designed to maximize their experience. Participants took part in stimulating business competitions, engaged in structured networking sessions, and listened intently to speakers who addressed many of the challenges commonly faced by entrepreneurs today. Key topics included navigating funding conversations, strategies for effective team building, maintaining core business values amidst growth pursuits, and the critical importance of creating opportunities for others within their ventures. The overarching theme encouraged women business leaders to explore how they could build sustainable businesses while simultaneously paving pathways for the next generation. It also emphasized the notion that collaboration often yields superior results compared to competition, and how redefining success to encompass collective advancement can profoundly reshape business strategy.

Morning Fresh: The Care We Share played a pivotal role in making the event accessible to a wider audience by offering complimentary attendance. Crucially, they achieved this while upholding the highest professional standards for the venue, logistical arrangements, and the overall programming. The success of HerStage 2026 was further bolstered by strategic partnerships with other key organizations, including BellaNaija, Herconomy, Salt Lagos, and Gbemisoke Shoes.

Looking ahead, the successful partnership between BellaNaija and Under 40 CEOs for Under 40 CEOs HerStage, made possible by Morning Fresh: The Care We Share, serves as a powerful testament to how media platforms and corporate sponsors can collaboratively create conditions that enable greater achievements. By supporting events that prioritize substantive content and genuinely foster opportunities for connection and learning, they empower a new generation of leaders. For those interested in future Under 40 CEOs events, a membership waitlist is available. Under 40 CEOs is recognized as a dynamic business community dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs and business leaders under the age of 40 across Nigeria and wider Africa through structured networking initiatives, mentorship programs, and strategically designed events.