On Saturday, August 30, 2025, the city of Akure came alive with fresh ideas, bold stories, and transformative conversations at TEDxAkure 2025, hosted at the Oak Event Palace. With the theme “Growth: Moving from Zero to One”, this year’s edition highlighted the courage to start, the power of ideas, and the journey from nothing into something impactful.
The event brought together a diverse community of creatives, entrepreneurs, professionals, and students eager to explore the art of beginning, innovating, and building.
As a planning partner, The Hive Incubator was proud to contribute to this transformative gathering that united creatives, entrepreneurs, professionals, and students under the banner of growth and possibility.
Director Folajomi Adegbulugbe’s Talk—For the Ones Who Came After Us
Our CEO, Director Folajomi Adegbulugbe, delivered a powerful talk titled “For the Ones Who Came After Us.” In his thought-provoking message, he challenged the audience to see zero not as an end, but as pure potential.
He challenged the audience to rethink the concept of zero, not as an ending, but as pure potential. Folajomi emphasized that ecosystems transform when someone dares to introduce the unexpected, building entrepreneurship and innovation from scratch. His message was clear: we owe the next generation more than nothing; we owe them a legacy.
He emphasized that ecosystems evolve when innovators and entrepreneurs dare to introduce the unexpected, building from scratch and leaving behind a legacy instead of nothing. Speaking to the heart of the theme, he declared:
“When you start from zero, you are free to imagine differently. Zero is the role we lay for the next generation. One is the legacy we leave behind if we decide to build.”
His words resonated deeply, inspiring participants to reimagine not only businesses but also cities and governance driven by dreamers, innovators, and builders.
A Gathering of Changemakers
The stage featured trailblazing thinkers and doers who shared powerful stories of growth and innovation:
- Ayo Bankole, founder of Caladium Consulting and co-founder of Fedacash, unpacked lessons on building sustainable businesses.
- Eric Gugua, author and filmmaker, inspired the audience with his creative journey and influence in digital storytelling.
- Kachi Kalu, co-founder of Liliac Africa, highlighted the role of design and creativity in solving African challenges.
- Nzoputa Ezike, founder of ForXers, introduced innovative perspectives on edtech and reimagining learning.
Beyond the Stage – A Tour of The Hive Hub
As part of the TEDxAkure 2025 experience, the speakers were given a special tour of the Akure Art & Tech Hub, The Hive Hub. This visit showcased the heartbeat of Akure’s innovation ecosystem, where creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship intersect.
During the tour, the speakers explored collaborative spaces designed to inspire new ideas, foster innovation, and support startups from the ground up. The Hive Hub stood as a living embodiment of the event’s theme, “Growth: Moving from Zero to One,” demonstrating how spaces built with vision can spark change and create a lasting impact.
For many of the speakers, the tour highlighted Akure’s growing role as a hub for innovation in Nigeria, leaving them inspired by the city’s potential and the work The Hive is doing to nurture the next generation of builders and changemakers.
More Than an Event
True to the TEDx spirit, TEDxAkure 2025 was more than just talks; it was a movement. Attendees connected, exchanged ideas, and left inspired to take bold steps toward bringing their visions to life. Performances and engaging conversations added vibrance to the event, making it a memorable day for everyone present.
As the applause faded and conversations continued beyond the hall, one thing was clear: Akure is ready to grow, build, and lead change. TEDxAkure 2025 was a reminder that every incredible journey begins with the courage to move from zero to one.
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