Identifying Opportunities for Growth in 2026

Lagos, Nigeria - This morning, Olubunmi Oluwadare, a seasoned entrepreneur and leadership strategist, conducted an impactful session for Sterling Bank's departmental team, urging leaders to rethink growth, innovation, and value creation as the banking industry gears up for 2026 and beyond.

In his presentation titled "Identifying Opportunities for Growth in 2026," Olubunmi highlighted the urgent necessity for financial institutions to transcend traditional operational mindsets and actively integrate entrepreneurial leadership at all organizational levels.

Central to the session was a compelling call for a shift in mindset. Olubunmi urged participants to transition from a conventional employee perspective to an ownership-driven approach, encouraging leaders to act as business owners who take responsibility for growth, innovation, and results.

He introduced the "Trophy Approach," advocating for a focus on high-value, high-impact opportunities-termed "trophy business"-instead of getting sidetracked by low-yield tasks. He asserted that sustainable growth arises from pursuing significant wins that yield measurable value and competitive advantages.

Olubunmi stressed that innovation is essential in an era characterized by rapid technological advancements and the rise of artificial intelligence. He warned that organizations that do not continuously adapt risk obsolescence, regardless of their historical successes.

He pointed out that growth in modern banking hinges on the ability to identify challenges, design relevant solutions, and streamline processes to make services faster, easier, and more valuable for customers.

The session also underscored the necessity of calculated risk-taking, emphasizing that meaningful progress demands informed boldness, agility, and a readiness to adjust strategies in response to change.

A significant insight from the session was the role of social capital as a strategic asset. Olubunmi noted that robust internal and external networks create opportunities, foster partnerships, and accelerate innovation.

Participants were encouraged to eliminate silos and promote cross-functional collaboration, enabling departments to work together, share insights, and co-create solutions that drive growth across the enterprise.

He further linked growth to customer and community impact, using Sterling Bank's agent banking model as an example of how empowering communities and enhancing access to financial services can foster inclusion, trust, and long-term business value.

Olubunmi concluded by emphasizing the importance of intrapreneurship-promoting innovation from within the organization. He challenged leaders to cultivate cultures where new ideas are welcomed, explored, and refined rather than dismissed with "it cannot work."

Key recommendations included:

• Encouraging idea generation at all organizational levels
• Recognizing and rewarding initiative and innovation
• Providing resources, support, and safe spaces for experimentation
• Measuring the impact of innovative ideas and solutions
• Fostering collaboration across teams and departments

The session reinforced that entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, and intrapreneurship are vital for future growth in banking. Throughout the engagement, it was clear that forward-thinking institutions like Sterling Bank are positioning themselves for leadership by embracing adaptability, collaboration, and customer-centric innovation.

Olubunmi Oluwadare's session equipped participants with practical insights and a refreshed leadership perspective-one focused on ownership, opportunity identification, and the development of sustainable growth strategies for 2026 and beyond.

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Olubunmi Oluwadare, SMEDAN Licensed National Business Development Service Provider (NBDSP) Author I SEE MONEY IN AFRICA. Founder www.uni-preneur.com. www.getajob.ng www.japadawithease.com. chairman/CEO Beexo Group www.beexogroup.com