OLxDCon25: A Collective Experience of Learning, Connection, and Possibility
The 2025 Organizational Learning & Development Conference, OLxDCon25, was much more than a gathering. It became a shared experience, one that participants described as inspiring, seamless, thought-provoking, and, for many, the best edition yet. The reflections that poured in after the event told a single, consistent story: something special happened in that room.
From the moment attendees walked in, the atmosphere carried an unusual blend of warmth and anticipation. As one participant put it with humour, “My wife asked if I went for an educational conference or an owanbe. I told her it was both. OLxDCon25 is where learning meets networking.” The energy remained electric throughout, shaped not just by the content but by the people who filled the space.
Many attendees spoke of how the sessions challenged their thinking and expanded their understanding of the evolving role of Learning and Development. One person captured the spirit of the day by describing OLxDCon25 as a reminder that “growth truly happens when passionate minds come together to share, learn, and collaborate.” Another wrote, “OLxDCon25 wasn’t just talking about digital skills, AI, and automation. They were walking the talk.” It was clear that the content spoke to where the world of work is heading and what L&D must become.
The breakout sessions added a new dimension to the experience. Equipped with silent disco headsets that allowed multiple sessions to run without interference, participants found themselves immersed in conversations that were both strategic and practical. Someone summed it up simply: “It felt futuristic, deeply learner centered and intentional.”
Another highlight of OLxDCon25 was the Exhibition Pavilion, which brought an additional layer of energy and discovery to the experience. Exhibitors showcased innovative learning technologies, digital solutions, talent platforms, and capability-building tools that enriched the conversations happening in the sessions. Many attendees spoke about how engaging it was to move from learning in the conference hall to exploring practical solutions in real time. Exhibitors brought colour, creativity, and excitement, and in some cases, even gifts, turning the exhibition area into a vibrant hub of connection and possibility.
Accessibility was not merely referenced on stage; it was visibly and meaningfully practiced. The presence of more than ten sign-language interpreters, deliberate venue selection, and the spotlight session led by inclusion advocate Dolapo Agbede made a profound impression. One attendee expressed it this way: “The session on accessibility wasn’t just a buzzword. It was practiced and it was powerful.” Another described it as “one of the most moving moments of the entire conference.”
The operational experience earned its own applause. With Liveet powering an automated check-in and tagging system, many said the logistics felt “global standard,” “impressively innovative,” and “the most organized event I attended this year.” Someone shared, “This showed that innovation is a great part of what we do. We can do the impossible if our minds can imagine it.” Even those attending for the first time noted how seamless everything felt.
Perhaps what stood out most across the feedback was the sense of community. People reconnected with colleagues and mentors while forming new relationships with professionals across Nigeria and Africa. An attendee captured the essence perfectly: “It felt like a reunion and a discovery all at once.” Another wrote that there is something extraordinary about “being in a room full of people who believe in the power of learning to transform individuals and organizations.”
Many left with a renewed conviction that learning is no longer a one-off event but an ecosystem that requires strategy, intentionality, data, inclusion, and a deep understanding of the workforce. As one participant put it, “Learning isn’t an event; it’s an ecosystem… and that’s exactly what we must keep building, one experience, one learner, and one moment at a time.” Another added, “Until learning becomes an embedded culture, we are not ready for the future.”
For others, OLxDCon25 carried emotional significance, marking how far the OLxD vision has come. “Watching OLxD become all it was envisioned to be is super thrilling,” someone wrote. Another said, “This year’s OLxD team truly raised the bar. I can’t help but relive the momentous moments.” There was also deep appreciation for how the conference has succeeded in bringing the L&D community together: “OLxD has successfully brought L&D professionals together across Nigeria and Africa.”
Amid all the reflections, one message kept repeating. Gratitude for the experience and excitement for what comes next. “Good things deserve accolades,” someone wrote, “and an amazing conference like OLxDCon25 deserves every bit of praise it gets.”
Thank you to our sponsors – Phillips Consulting, Talstack, Workforce Group, TVC Communications, Tolaram Group, LEAP Africa and Liveet for standing with us and elevating OLxDCon25.
OLxDCon25 was designed with purpose, delivered with intention, and received with enthusiasm. The feedback made one thing clear: the future of learning in Africa is not approaching, it is already unfolding. And if this year’s conference is anything to go by, that future is bright, collaborative, and full of possibility.