By Kingsley Samuel
As organisations across Nigeria grapple with declining productivity, weak team cohesion, and leadership inefficiencies, the International Coaching Federation, ICF, Nigeria Chapter is positioning coaching as a practical solution to these challenges, targeting 500 participants at the 2026 International Coaching Week, ICW.
Rather than simply promoting leadership ideals, the initiative is designed to directly address a persistent problem in many workplaces, the inability of leaders to effectively manage people, inspire performance, and build trust-driven teams.
Scheduled to hold from May 11 to May 17, 2026, across 99 countries, with a flagship conference in Lagos on May 12, the event is themed: “From Authority to Influence: Coaching as a New Leadership Currency.” It will convene business executives, entrepreneurs, public sector leaders, and young professionals to explore practical ways of solving leadership challenges through coaching.
Speaking ahead of the programme, President of ICF Nigeria Chapter, Charles Okeibunor, said the expanded scope of this year’s event reflects a response to real gaps in leadership effectiveness across sectors.
“We are not just hosting another conference; we are responding to a problem. Many professionals are technically sound but struggle with leadership because they lack the skills to guide people, resolve conflicts, and make balanced decisions,” he said.
According to him, coaching provides a structured framework for problem-solving, helping individuals think critically, clarify goals, and arrive at sustainable solutions without over-reliance on authority.
“Coaching is not about telling people what to do. It is about helping them think through issues clearly. When leaders learn this approach, they begin to solve problems at the root rather than applying temporary fixes,” Okeibunor added.
He noted that Nigeria’s leadership challenge is not a lack of talent but a gap in how that talent is harnessed. “We have capable people, but without the right leadership approach, their potential remains underutilised. Coaching helps unlock that.”
Also speaking, Habiba Balogun, a trustee of ICF Nigeria, identified poor leadership preparation as a major organisational bottleneck.
“In many organisations, people are promoted because they perform well individually, but they are not equipped to lead others. That is where problems begin, poor communication, low morale, and underperformance,” she said.
Balogun explained that coaching directly addresses these issues by equipping leaders with people-management skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build trust.
“When leaders rely only on authority, they may get compliance, but not commitment. Coaching helps shift that dynamic by creating an environment where people are motivated to perform, not forced to,” she added.
For Janet Adetu, the ICW 2026 sessions are designed to deliver hands-on solutions rather than theoretical discussions.
“Participants will leave with tools they can apply immediately , how to listen actively, manage difficult conversations, support team members, and improve decision-making,” she said.
She stressed that one of the biggest challenges leaders face is a lack of self-awareness, which often leads to poor judgement and strained workplace relationships.
“A coach helps you see what you may be missing, your blind spots. Once leaders become aware, they can correct behaviours that affect performance and team dynamics,” Adetu noted.
Highlighting systemic workplace issues, Patrenia Werts Onuoha, Director of Marketing and Communications at ICF Nigeria, said many organisations still operate rigid command-and-control systems that limit innovation and accountability.
“In such environments, people only perform when they are being monitored. The moment supervision reduces, performance drops. That is a structural problem,” she explained.
According to her, coaching offers a sustainable solution by fostering ownership and accountability among employees.
“When people understand their roles, feel heard, and are part of decision-making, they take responsibility for outcomes. That is how organisations build resilience,” Onuoha said.
The ICW 2026 programme will feature keynote sessions, C-suite roundtables, masterclasses, and fireside chats addressing real-world challenges such as resilience in uncertain times, integrating artificial intelligence in leadership, building a coaching culture, and scaling businesses.
Beyond knowledge-sharing, the event will also provide networking opportunities aimed at encouraging collaboration and cross-sector problem-solving.
As Nigeria navigates complex economic and social realities, ICF Nigeria believes that strengthening leadership capacity through coaching could be a critical lever for improving organisational performance and national productivity.
With a clear focus on solving leadership problems rather than merely discussing them, ICW 2026 is positioning coaching not just as a professional skill, but as a strategic tool for driving measurable change.
