The Masterclass 2026 | The Duke's Masterclass

Executive leader in a moment of focused strategic decision-making

Why We Exist

Reputation is
economic capital.

Multilateral certainty gave way to something faster and far less forgiving. Institutions no longer rise or fall on performance alone, but on how they respond, adapt, and hold stakeholder confidence under pressure.

We exist to arm leaders with the discipline crisis demands: scenario planning, decisive judgment, and the reading of institutional power. Not soft skills, the difference between being remembered for how you led through a crisis, and being remembered for the crisis itself.

Masterclass Objectives

What every faculty
collaborates toward.

Build world-class communication and crisis management strategies for leaders across every field of endeavour.
Equip Nigerian leaders with pinpoint crisis management that strengthens both local and global influence.
Showcase global best practice in leadership communication, adapted for emerging markets.
Safeguard institutional resilience against the vagaries of unexpected crisis.

How a Session Runs

A premium executive engagement, not a lecture series.

High-Impact Keynote Addresses Fireside Strategic Conversations Immersive Executive Workshops Interactive Panel Dialogues Crisis & Reputation Simulations Elite Networking Engagements

The Duke's Masterclass

The transformative
experience we promised.

Two distinct executive experiences, designed to bring together exceptional learning, institutional access and meaningful relationships.

01 Abuja Executive Masterclass

An intensive
executive experience.

One Day · Abuja

The Abuja edition is an intensive one-day executive Masterclass, bringing together an exceptional faculty of global thought leaders and experienced practitioners.

01

The Day

Masterclass & Executive Networking Dinner

Intensive Masterclass sessions with global thought leaders and experienced practitioners, closing with an Executive Networking Dinner for informal conversation with faculty, distinguished guests, and fellow senior executives.

02 London Executive Experience

Three days of
immersive leadership.

Three Days · London

A premium three-day immersive leadership experience, combining executive education, policy engagement, institutional exposure and exclusive networking opportunities.

01

Day One

Governance & Policy

Executive Breakfast at the House of Lords, followed by a Leadership Debate at either the House of Commons or House of Lords and high-level discussions on governance, leadership and public policy.

02

Day Two

Academic & Institutional Access

Executive Masterclass sessions at the London School of Economics (LSE) and King's College London, an afternoon visit to Buckingham Palace, and an Executive Reception at the Institute of Directors, Carlton House Terrace.

03

Day Three

Strategic Networking

An exclusive Executive Dinner hosted by Bank of America, bringing together participants, faculty, corporate leaders and invited guests for strategic conversations and relationship building.

This international experience has been thoughtfully designed to deliver exceptional value, combining world-class learning, exclusive access and unparalleled networking opportunities.

Know an individual, organisation or institution that would benefit from this experience? Make an Enquiry

Delegates seated in a formal executive convening

Prospective Attendees

A closed-door
programme, reserved for:

High-powered leaders in public and private sectors, NGOs, and multinationals.
Strategically chosen leaders across government and other areas of human endeavour.
Institutional players across the three tiers of government and democratic institutions.
Media titans and thought leaders shaping the public narrative, locally and internationally.

People who have already been in the room

Not a speaker roster, a faculty that has governed, advised, and rebuilt reputations under genuine pressure.

Keynote

Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON

15th Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

A seasoned diplomat bringing multilateral experience and leadership expertise to bear on the evolving socio-political landscape of Africa.

Faculty

Lord Gavin Barwell

Former Chief of Staff to PM Theresa May · UK House of Lords

Navigated Downing Street through Brexit. Speaks on reputation, negotiation, and narrative control at the very centre of state power.

Faculty

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

7th Vice President of Ghana, 2017–2025

Economist, banker, and statesman. Former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana and 2024 presidential candidate for the NPP.

Faculty

Dr. Victor Oladokun

Former Director of Communications, African Development Bank

A leading voice on executive communication and African economic transformation narratives.

Faculty

Kola Adesina

Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group

Former Chairman, Egbin Power & Ikeja Electric. A career built on the principle that reputation is rooted in character, not publicity.

Faculty

Folake Ani-Mumuney

Communications Expert · Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Comms, FBN Holdings

Three decades protecting the reputations of British Airways, Dangote Group, and First Bank of Nigeria.

Faculty

Dr. Owen Omogiafo, OON

President / Group CEO, Transcorp Plc

The first female and youngest President/Group CEO in Transcorp's history, leading across hospitality, power, and energy.

Faculty

Dr. Nero Ughwujabo

Former Special Adviser to PM Theresa May · The King's Trust

The first person of African descent to serve as Special Adviser inside 10 Downing Street.

Faculty

Dr. Yvonne Thompson, CBE, DL, FCL

Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London

Founder, WinTrade Global Women in Business Network — Europe's first Black women in business network.

Direction

Dr. Nonny Ugboma

Sessions Director & Moderator

Former CEO, MTN Nigeria Foundation. Architects the intellectual flow of every session.

Host

Otunba Bimbo Ashiru

Chairman, Odu'a Investment Company · Host, 2026

Three decades across banking, investment and government — including two terms as Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, Ogun State.

Also drawn from past editions: Chief Emeka Anyaoku · Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II · Gen. Ike Nwachukwu · Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON 15th Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

Lord Gavin Barwell Former Chief of Staff to PM Theresa May · UK House of Lords

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia 7th Vice President of Ghana, 2017–2025

Dr. Victor Oladokun Former Director of Communications, African Development Bank

Kola Adesina Group Managing Director, Sahara Power Group

Folake Ani-Mumuney Communications Expert · Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Comms, FBN Holdings

Dr. Owen Omogiafo, OON President / Group CEO, Transcorp Plc

Dr. Nero Ughwujabo Former Special Adviser to PM Theresa May · The King's Trust

Dr. Yvonne Thompson, CBE, DL, FCL Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London

Frequently Asked Questions

Filter by category to find what you need.

What is The Duke's Masterclass?

An invitation-only executive convening on crisis management and reputational strategy, run across two sequential tracks: Masterclass Nigeria and Masterclass International. Closed-door, no press, no recording.

Can anyone enrol?

No. Attendance is by strategic invitation, executive nomination, or institutional sponsorship, deliberately, to protect the room.

How long does each edition run?

It depends on the edition. Masterclass Nigeria is an intensive one-day programme; Masterclass International is a three-day immersive experience. Both close with executive networking, keynotes, and hands-on sessions throughout.

How do I apply?

Submit a delegate application on the Register page. The Secretariat reviews every application individually, submitting one starts that review, it doesn't guarantee a seat.

Can I nominate someone else?

Yes, existing faculty, alumni, and institutional partners can nominate through the Secretariat.

Can my organisation sponsor a seat?

Yes, as part of a wider partnership. Reach out via the Enquire page.

Nigeria or International, what's the difference?

Nigeria is our Africa-focused track: an intensive one-day Masterclass in Abuja. International is the sequential follow-up: a three-day immersive experience in London, combining executive education, policy engagement, and institutional access. Same faculty standard and closed-door format throughout.

When is the next edition?

See the full calendar on the Events page, it stays current automatically.

Not a course.
A closed room.

Reputation is
economic capital.

What every faculty
collaborates toward.

How a Session Runs