Media personality, culture commentator, and workplace advocate Joseph Onaolapo, popularly known as Jay On-Air, is set to host the inaugural Work Culture Festival (WCF), a new platform designed to spark honest conversations about work, leadership, and workplace culture in Africa.
Scheduled to take place on March 26 and 27, 2026 in Victoria Island, Lagos, the Work Culture Festival is founded and convened by Jay On-Air as a two-day immersive gathering bringing together founders, HR leaders, executives, creatives, and the emerging workforce to rethink how organisations work and perform.
Positioned as more than a traditional conference, the festival describes itself as “Not a Conference. A Culture Shift.” It is designed as a space where professionals can openly interrogate how we work, why we work, and what the future of work in Africa should look like.
The festival blends workplace intelligence with storytelling, media, and cultural dialogue to create an experience that goes beyond panels and presentations into meaningful conversations and lived learning.
Keynote Speakers
The following keynote speakers are confirmed for WCF 2026:
• Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani — Day One Keynote: “Work Is Broken, Culture Will Fix It.”
• Chinwe Egwim — Day Two Keynote: “The Office Is Optional. Leadership Is Not.”
Confirmed Panelists
Speakers confirmed for the event include leaders across business, HR, media, and the creative industries:
Day One Panels
• Bankole Williams
• Gbenga Totoyi
• Ivie Temitayo-Ibitoye
• Dolapo Sosanya — Chief People Officer, Renmoney
• Salem King
• Dr. Glory Edozien
• Tega Clifford
Day Two Panels
• Foluso Gbadamosi
• Olusola Amusan
• Dr. Kagan
• Solomon Ayodele
• Oladotun Ajayi
• Jennifer Imion
• Felix Bissong – Gen Z HR
• Olabisi Ajala
• Ifedurosinmi Etti
Live Performances
• WAJE — Performing live on Day One
• Ric Hassani — Performing live on Day Two
About the Festival
Across two days, the festival will host keynote conversations, panel discussions, storytelling sessions, and strategy workshops focused on the future of work in Africa.
Day One will explore culture, people, and identity in the workplace, with conversations around leadership mindsets, workplace storytelling, organisational culture, power dynamics, and performance in modern organisations. The day will conclude with a networking and culture mixer designed to foster meaningful connections among participants.
Day Two will focus on strategy, systems, and execution, featuring sessions on HR strategy, workforce planning, data-driven decision making, legal and compliance frameworks, and leadership pathways for professionals navigating a rapidly evolving economy.
According to Jay On-Air, the Work Culture Festival was created in response to a growing need for more honest and culturally grounded conversations about work in Africa.
“The future of work is not only about policies or productivity. It is about people, culture, identity, and purpose. Work Culture Festival exists to create a space where we can have those conversations honestly and learn from one another.”
– Jay On-Air
The event is expected to attract founders, corporate executives, HR leaders, young professionals, creatives, and media voices interested in shaping the next chapter of workplace culture across the continent.
Tickets & Registration
Tickets for the Work Culture Festival are now available. Interested participants can learn more and register here.
Sponsored by MTN and Renmoney
Work Culture Festival (WCF) — March 26–27, 2026 — Victoria Island, Lagos
Not a Conference. A Culture Shift.
