Njuara Njama’s HIPS 2025 Lagos summit empowers emerging leaders, redefining workplace impact and leadership across Africa.
Njuara Njama has never been content with the old idea of work – that it is simply a place you go, clock in, and collect a paycheck. A lawyer by training and a human capital development specialist by calling, Njama has spent her career reimagining what the workplace could be if people were empowered to grow, pivot, and lead with intention. Through The Talk Office, a firm she founded and leads, she builds people, processes, and structures that make work not just bearable, but meaningful for individuals, for organisations, and for society at large.
Three years ago, that passion birthed the High Impact Professionals Seminar (HIPS), a platform that brings together professionals across industries to learn, network, and push the boundaries of what it means to thrive at work. Now in its third year, the seminar returns to Lagos on October 2, 2025, with its boldest theme yet: “Emerging Leaders.”
Leadership for Njama is not about titles or appointments, but is about rising when challenges demand it, honing the skills to solve problems, and refusing to let potential go dormant.
In this conversation, she opens up about the vision behind HIPS 2025, why leadership feels more urgent than ever, and how she hopes the platform will transform not just careers, but the future of work in Africa.
Tell us about yourself, what you do, and what the HIPS seminar is all about.
I am Njuara Njama, a legal practitioner and human capital development specialist. As Founder and CEO of The Talk Office, I focus on reshaping workplace narratives so that time spent at work becomes more meaningful and rewarding. We help professionals recognise when to upskill, pivot, or transition into new spaces.
Through The Talk Office, we provide human capital solutions for both individuals and organisations. For individuals, this includes conferences like the upcoming HIPS seminar on October 2nd, as well as coaching, mentoring, and networking platforms. For organisations, we offer training, structuring, and consulting on people, processes, and workplace culture.
Beyond this, I continue to practise law and run an NGO, Female Education and Life Strengthening Foundation, which focuses on impact through education and empowerment. I live by the motto: Living for Impact.
Could you give us a quick overview of the High Impact Professionals Seminar (HIPS) 2025 and what inspired the theme, “Emerging Leaders”?
HIPS was created to challenge traditional workplace norms and inspire professionals to be more intentional about their careers. Too often, employees feel stuck in toxic or unrewarding jobs, while employers complain about competency gaps. I realised the missing link wasn’t just more training, it was cross-pollination. When professionals from different sectors interact, they gain fresh perspectives, new methods, and strategies that can transform their work.
That’s the essence of HIPS: creating a platform where professionals can learn beyond their office walls and make their time at work truly impactful, for themselves, their organisations, and Africa’s wider economy.
Now in its third year, the seminar has evolved with strong themes. The first edition explored the identity of a high-impact professional, while last year focused on Value for Visibility. This year’s theme, “Emerging Leaders”, reflects the urgent need for leadership that goes beyond titles. Leadership, in our view, is not about being appointed but about emerging, rising to challenges, spotting gaps, and providing solutions.
That’s why HIPS 2025 is centred on equipping employees, entrepreneurs, and business owners with the mindset and skills to lead wherever they find themselves. After a successful session in Abuja on July 31st, we’re looking forward to continuing the conversation in Lagos on October 2nd.
Why do you believe it’s important to focus on emerging leaders at this time, especially within the Nigerian professional context?
Focusing on emerging leaders is critical right now because leadership is no longer as attractive as it once was. Many professionals shy away from leadership roles, yet the demand for effective leadership in organisations, politics, communities, and even homes has never been greater.
What we’re trying to do is redefine leadership. It shouldn’t be about waiting to be appointed or promoted before stepping up. Instead, anyone, whether an employee, entrepreneur, or business owner, can emerge as a leader by rising to the occasion and applying their skills when challenges arise.
Take this simple example: if a fire breaks out during a board meeting and the person serving coffee knows how to put it out, in that moment, he becomes the leader. That’s what leadership by emergence looks like.
This year’s seminar is about helping professionals build those skills, so they can see themselves as leaders regardless of title or position, and be ready to respond to the pressing needs of their workplaces and society.
What are the key outcomes you want participants to walk away with after attending the seminar?
From HIPS, we want participants to walk away with more than inspiration. We want them to leave with a redefined view of leadership and a determination to practise it beyond the seminar. It’s not just about what happens in those four or five hours, but about building on the conversations, applying the insights, and creating a ripple effect in workplaces, businesses, politics, and communities.
A big part of this is connection. People thrive when they meet like-minded professionals, so we’ve designed intentional networking sessions that go beyond exchanging cards. In Abuja, participants enjoyed it so much that we had to extend the time. That’s the kind of meaningful connection we’re bringing to Lagos as well.
Finally, we hope participants tap into mentorship. With a rich line-up of speakers and panellists, there will be countless opportunities to learn, be guided, and translate ideas into impact.
What kind of professionals or sectors is the event targeting, and who should definitely not miss it?
One of the most powerful things about the High Impact Professionals Seminar is that it’s truly cross-sector. We’ve had participants from hospitality, politics, HR, real estate, medicine, and even construction. The idea is simple: bring people from different industries together, share what works, and spark cross-pollination that benefits everyone.
HIPS is not limited to one group. Early and mid-level professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs, team leaders, HR experts, creatives, and founders are all welcome. In fact, anyone who is passionate about growth, impact, and making their work more visible will find value here. Whether you’re a freelancer in the gig economy or a corporate executive, this is the stage to meet like-minded people and engage in practical conversations about the workplace.
In your view, what makes HIPS different from other professional development events happening in Lagos and other parts of the country?
What sets HIPS apart is the intentionality. Every speaker is carefully chosen to bring not just knowledge, but real impact. Over the years, this has distinguished us, and with each edition we’ve connected with even more key stakeholders who are eager to share their insights on our stage.
But HIPS is more than a seminar. It is the beginning of a community built around the workplace. At many events, professionals feel out of place because the conversations don’t speak to their realities. Here, the focus is squarely on work, growth, and impact.
Our panel sessions highlight this difference. In Lagos last year, the discussion went on for over two hours because participants were so engaged. They shared personal stories from their workplaces and, in return, received practical solutions directly from panellists. That kind of authentic, no-cost guidance is rare, and it’s one of the reasons people keep coming back.
At its core, HIPS is intentional about making work work for professionals. That’s our vision, and it’s what makes us stand out.
Looking ahead, how do you envision the HIPS platform evolving in the coming years?
The vision for HIPS goes beyond Abuja and Lagos. We want to see the conversation reach cities across Nigeria and Africa, shaping work realities that are true to our context rather than adopting foreign models that don’t align with who we are. HIPS provides a space where professionals discover practical solutions, apply them in their organisations, and achieve tangible results.
We want to launch from Nigeria to the world. So it’s going to be HIPS to the world.
How can interested professionals register or be part of the seminar?
There is a dedicated registration link that is available, and all you need to do is to click on the registration link to provide all the details you need to register. It’s a very quick process that will happen in less than 2 minutes.
You can also reach us via email at: thetalkoffice@gmail.com
We are also available on Instagram or TikTok at The Talk Office. Reach out to us. A team member will be available to attend to you.
