Design as Enterprise
Why talented designers struggle to grow firms, and the systems which turn a craft into an institution.
KeynoteWorkshop
Architect · Writer · Speaker
Designing places, businesses and the people who build them.
Arc. Segun Adelaja is an architect and creative entrepreneur from Nigeria. He speaks and writes for audiences around the world on design, enterprise and creative leadership in Africa's growing cities.
Base Ibadan, Nigeria
Reach Worldwide · in person and virtual
Languages English, Yoruba, German
Fig. 01 · Ibadan, Nigeria
About
Segun works across art, architecture, music and programming, and treats each as a form of design.
He trained at the Federal Academy for the Gifted and Talented Students and studied architecture at the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Over 20 years he has led teams in design, construction, education and media.
One question runs through his work: how do creative people build institutions which outlast them? Michael E. Gerber's The E-Myth shaped his answer early. The discipline of working on a business, and not only in the business, sits at the centre of his talks and essays.
Every building begins as a line on paper. So does every business and every movement worth joining. Segun believes the future belongs to people who pick up the pen first. His new book, Pens Up, calls on you to put your ideas on paper and then go build them.
- Title
- Arc. Segun Adelaja
- Based in
- Ibadan, Nigeria
- Education
- Federal University of Technology, Akure
- Disciplines
- Architecture, art, music, programming
- Writes on
- Design, cities, enterprise, public life
- Member of
- Nigerian Institute of Architects
Speaking
Talks for rooms full of builders
Segun speaks to founders, design professionals, students and policy audiences. Each talk draws on real projects from the drawing board and the site, and adapts to the length and format of your event.
Building Africa's Next Cities
Housing, public space and construction quality in fast-growing African cities, seen from both the design studio and the site.
KeynotePanel
Working On the Business
Lessons from applying The E-Myth inside a Nigerian creative practice: roles, systems, delegation and growth.
KeynoteMasterclass
Training the Next Designers
Where professional education falls short, and how mentorship and practical bootcamps close the gap between school and practice.
TalkPanelWorkshop
Keynotes20 to 45 minutes, with Q&A
PanelsPanellist or moderator
WorkshopsHalf-day or full-day masterclasses
InterviewsPodcast, radio, TV and print
Invitations
Invite Segun to your stage, studio or page
Share the essentials of your event or interview. The form turns your details into a WhatsApp message to Segun, ready to send.
- Conferences and summits
- Corporate and association events
- Universities and schools
- Podcasts, broadcast and print interviews
Writing
Essays and opinion
Segun writes on architecture, relationships, faith, technology and public life. Opinion pieces with a clear position, drawn from practice and experience.
i
The Relationship Between Architects and Structural Engineers
“Buildings are not products of competition, they are products of collaboration.”
iiHealthy Relationships
“Healthy relationships grow when giving becomes instinctive, not transactional.”
iiiArtificial Intelligence
“It does not wake up with a new thought. It studies patterns, gathers fragments, and produces something that feels fresh by selecting the strongest threads from countless human efforts.”
ivWomen
“The English word helper can sound small, almost dismissive… But the Hebrew phrase used here is ‘ezer kenegdo’, and it tells a very different story.”
New essays and ideas first appear on Instagram. Follow along.
Follow @arcsegunadelajaReels
Latest on Instagram
Short commentary on building places, businesses and the people who build them. Eight recent reels from @arcsegunadelaja.
Updated from instagram.com/arcsegunadelaja
See all reels on Instagram
Record
Track record
20+Years in design and construction
40Talks and panels delivered
12Essays published
2,000+Professionals trained and mentored
| Year | Event or outlet | City | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Kingdom Entrepreneurship Summit | Ibadan | Keynote |
| 2026 | MiDiFa Capacity Training for Media Practitioners | Ibadan | Facilitator |
| 2024 | Empowered Minds Conference | Ibadan | Panelist |
| 2024 | Life Line Conference | Akure | Guest Speaker |
“Your insightful and thought-provoking speech has inspired and motivated everyone who attended. … Your contribution has not only made a difference in our event, but it has also made a difference in the lives of those who attended.”
“The session was explosive and mind-blowing. The feedback is great.”
Partner brands
Media kit
For organisers and editors
Use this bio and these images in programmes, posters and articles. Please credit as Arc. Segun Adelaja.
Short bio · 60 words
Arc. Segun Adelaja is a Nigerian architect, creative entrepreneur and writer. Trained at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, he works across architecture, art, music and programming, and leads teams in design, construction, education and media. He speaks and writes on design, enterprise and creative leadership in Africa's growing cities. He is based in Ibadan, Nigeria.
PronunciationShey-GOON Ah-day-LAH-jah
High-resolution files on request
Contact
Start a conversation.
Phone · WhatsApp+234 704 100 6768
Instagram@arcsegunadelaja
StudioNo 1, Heritage Drive, Adjacent Brent Supermarket, Sawmill, Old Ife Road, Ibadan, Nigeria