The oil-rich city of Warri, Delta State, drew national and international attention last week as it played host to the 2025 edition of the International Founders Conference (IFC), organised by The Master’s Place International Church. Held from July 21 to 23, the annual summit brought together a distinguished gathering of founders, senior pastors, entrepreneurs, and CEOs from across Nigeria and beyond.
Themed around equipping institutional leaders for scalable impact, IFC 2025 featured a lineup of high-profile speakers, including Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, Dr. Mike Murdock, Pastor Mensa Otabil, Reverend Biodun Fatoyinbo, Pastor Bolaji Idowu, Reverend Tony Adeyemi, and the host pastors, Korede and Esther Komaiya.
Sessions focused on issues ranging from organisational growth and leadership strategy to spiritual resilience and legacy-building. “President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit,” said Bayo Onanuga, one of the speakers, emphasising the need for nation-building through visionary leadership.
Participants described the conference as both transformational and timely. “It wasn’t just a religious gathering; it was a leadership incubator,” said Tolu Makinde, a Lagos-based entrepreneur who attended the summit for the first time.
Held at The Synergy Centre in Warri, the event drew thousands and provided a significant economic boost to the city. Hotels, restaurants, transportation services, and local vendors all recorded increased activity, according to informal assessments by business owners and event staff.
Security, logistics, and accommodation were managed with what one delegate called “military precision,” with livestreaming and hybrid participation allowing many others around the world to benefit from the sessions.
The conveners, Pastors Korede and Esther Komaiya, were praised for their vision and execution. “IFC is more than a conference—it is a platform for strategic thinking, spiritual depth, and lasting impact,” said Esther Komaiya in her closing remarks.
Although the 2025 edition has concluded, organisers announced that mentorship cohorts and follow-up sessions are already underway, signalling the conference’s transition from event to year-round movement.
With plans already underway for IFC 2026, the success of this year’s edition has positioned Warri as an emerging destination for global faith-based leadership and innovation.
