The International Visitor Leadership Program Alumni Association (IVLPAA) recently hosted its “Empower-to-Prosper Series,” featuring a high-impact Masterclass on the Art & Strategy of Negotiation. The initiative dwelled on the growing recognition of effective negotiation as a critical competency for professionals seeking to distinguish themselves in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive business environment.
Held at the American Corner in Ikeja, Lagos State, the event provided a platform for a diverse group of professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs to refine their negotiation skills. The programme focused on equipping participants with practical strategies to understand and articulate their true value, price their services with confidence, and close high-value deals without compromising their worth. The masterclass leveraged insights from expert facilitators and real-life case studies, aiming to empower attendees to master negotiation techniques that yield tangible results and to structure and defend their pricing with professional precision.
Adedayo Oketola, president of IVLPAA, opened the programme with a welcome address, elaborating on the association’s core mission to empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities through mentoring, leadership development, and social impact initiatives.
The first session, titled “Mastering Your Value & Crafting Winning Negotiation Strategies,” was facilitated by Odunola Onadipe, lead operating manager at Detail Commercial Solicitors. Onadipe guided participants through an exploration of market worth and unique professional propositions. She elucidated methodologies for identifying and articulating unique professional offerings by defining core competencies, niche areas, and expertise. A key takeaway was the importance of creating a compelling value proposition that resonates effectively with target audiences, moving beyond mere service provision to demonstrating value.
Onadipe further discussed the psychological dynamics in negotiation. She stressed that effective negotiation transcends mere logic and facts, being influenced by human behaviour, emotions, and thought processes. “It is about understanding people’s motives, fears, communication styles and reactions,” she noted.
She also talked about the Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA) model, advocating for its consistent inclusion in any negotiation strategy. Participants were further enjoined to cultivate the right mindset to confidently charge what their services are truly worth.
The second session, “From Pitch to Payment – Closing High-Value Deals without Underselling Yourself,” was facilitated by Peter Ogudoro, managing consultant at Ogudoro Leadership Trainers and founder of the Nigerian Teachers Community, a platform boasting nearly one million members.
Ogudoro focused on the strategic advantage of pulling customers in today’s competitive marketplace, rather than merely pushing for sales. He presented practical tools designed to help participants unlock their full potential, negotiate fearlessly, and align their professional pursuits with a sense of purpose.
Ogudoro, a renowned educationist, career management strategist, and business coach, offered unconventional yet pragmatic advice for career advancement. He posited that reaching the pinnacle of one’s career often demands a degree of humility and the willingness to attribute achievements to superiors rather than claiming sole credit. While seemingly counter-intuitive, he argued this approach enhances sustainable and transitional success, illustrating his points with personal anecdotes and examples of other accomplished individuals.
He further counselled participants on the imperative of consistent career building, urging them to resist mediocrity and prioritise long-term professional elevation over immediate financial gratification. Ogudoro stressed that a focus on career growth would ultimately lead to the sustained success necessary to achieve lifetime goals. He also imparted crucial negotiation tactics, including the importance of active listening and the art of disagreeing constructively by asking clarifying questions or engaging with salient points raised by the counterparty, thereby fostering an engaging and respectful dialogue rather than bruising egos.
The masterclass culminated with the presentation of certificates to participants, many of whom expressed satisfaction with the insights and practical skills acquired.
