Leaders from across Nigeria and five other countries converged in Lagos for The SHIFT, a leadership-focused gathering aimed at deepening purpose, strengthening values and driving societal impact, according to a statement made available to The PUNCH on Tuesday.

The event, convened by Lead Pastor of the Eden Centre, Dr Akin Akinpelu, brought together participants from Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, the United Kingdom and the United States.

It was designed as a platform for leaders to gain clarity, build capacity and connect around shared goals.

Akinpelu explained that the meeting departed from the format of a conventional conference, focusing instead on equipping participants with direction, spiritual insight and a sense of community.

He said the initiative seeks to nurture a new cadre of leaders capable of influencing key sectors such as business, government, education, media and the creative industries.

As part of the vision, he introduced The Agora, a movement intended to identify, train and deploy value-driven leaders into various spheres of society.

He noted that the long-term goal is to produce individuals who combine professional competence with strong ethical and spiritual foundations.

“I have spent years building towards a moment like this because the next generation of leaders needs more than motivation. They need direction, depth and belonging in the same space,” Akinpelu said.

The gathering also featured the launch of Akinpelu’s book, The Agenda, described as a practical resource for individuals seeking to lead with what he termed “divine intelligence.” According to him, the book was intended to guide leaders in applying purpose-driven principles within their fields.

Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, addressed participants at the event, where he spoke on the nature of leadership and offered prayers for attendees, the movement and the newly launched book.

Oyedepo emphasised that leadership in a spiritual context is in service rather than status, noting that effective leaders prioritise meeting the needs of others.

He also spoke on the theme of “Shift,” describing it as a process of continuous growth and advancement.

Akinpelu described Oyedepo’s participation as significant, citing his experience and influence as adding depth to the gathering.

“There are no adequate words for what happened in that room. When he released blessings over the leaders present and over the vision, something shifted,” he said.

He added that the convergence of participants, ideas and spiritual engagement marked a defining moment for the initiative, with attendees expected to carry forward its leadership mandate in their respective fields. (The PUNCH)