Hardé Business School has opened registration for the February 2027 cohort of its Business Leadership Executive Program (BLEP), highlighting the need for stronger leadership skills as professionals take on greater responsibilities in their organisations.

The school said many professionals moved into managerial and executive positions without adequate preparation for the demands of leading teams, making strategic decisions and delivering organisational results.

In announcing the opening of registration, Hardé said the next stage of leadership required more than experience, stressing the importance of strategic thinking, sound judgement and the ability to execute plans in complex environments.

“The next level of leadership requires more than experience. It requires strategic thinking, sound judgement, and the ability to execute in complex environments,” the school said.

The program targets mid-career managers, executives, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders seeking to strengthen their capacity to manage people, influence outcomes and make effective business decisions.

It combines live virtual sessions, self-paced learning and a capstone project designed to help participants apply their knowledge to real-world business challenges.

The curriculum covers personal effectiveness, communication, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, design thinking, leadership, negotiation, business strategy and finance for business leaders.

According to the school, the program is designed to address the transition from individual performance to broader accountability for people, decisions and organisational outcomes.

Hardé Business School Chief Executive Officer, Dami Oguntunde, said many professionals assumed significant responsibilities before acquiring the structure and tools needed to lead effectively.

“Many professionals carry responsibility before they receive the structure to lead well. BLEP gives them that structure,” Oguntunde said.

He had previously noted that leadership gaps could affect decision-making, team management and long-term business growth as organisations expanded.

Participants from the February 2026 cohort also shared experiences of how the program influenced their leadership approaches.

Olufunke Tonye-Preghafi, Chief Financial Officer at Quomodo Systems Africa, was named the cohort’s Most Valuable Leader after ranking sixth academically among 78 participants and leading the Innovators team.

“I came in as a traditionally ‘smart’ professional, but this experience challenged me to think deeper, lead better, and show up differently,” she said.

Ojinika Shote, a senior manager at Stanbic IBTC, said the program encouraged her to reflect on her leadership style and how she supported members of her team.

She said a session on emotional intelligence provided practical strategies for building a more cohesive and effective team.

Another participant, Chukwudi Nwosu, said the program clarified the relationship between leadership, strategy and execution, encouraging him to consider how decisions affected his team and wider organisational objectives.

Hardé said its approach combines practitioner-led teaching with practical application. Facilitators are professionals working in the subjects they teach, while participants’ capstone projects are assessed on their real-world relevance rather than attendance alone.

The school said the approach was intended to help participants translate what they learn into better decision-making, team management and responses to the demands of senior positions.

It added that building effective leadership capacity required organisations and professionals to anticipate operational challenges, strengthen accountability and develop systems for addressing problems.

Hardé Business School provides executive education and early-career professional training for professionals in Nigeria and across Africa. Its offerings include executive programs, corporate learning and professional development initiatives combining live instruction, self-paced study and practical application.

Registration is now open for the February 2027 cohort of the Business Leadership Executive Program.

Interested professionals can apply through Hardé Business School’s BLEP application page or contact the school on +234 913 500 0567.