Jacqueline Aki, President of Interior Designers Association of Nigeria, IDAN has underscored the importance of building systems that position designers as entrepreneurs and creatives.
She said this at the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria’s second CEO Roundtable of the year, held recently in Lagos which brought together leaders and innovators in Nigeria’s design ecosystem.
The forum which had the theme “Building the Engine – Operational Systems for Growth and Sustainability”, addressed most pressing needs of the profession: transforming creativity into structured enterprises that can scale and contribute meaningfully to the national economy.
“At IDAN, we do not see our members merely as designers—we see them as businesses. This is why it is critical to equip ourselves with tools and knowledge for running sustainable practices. The CEO Roundtable provides a space for practical workshops, shared experiences, and lessons learned, enabling us to tackle industry pain points head-on,” Jacqueline said.
Read also: How IDAN redefines Nigeria’s interior design industry
The workshops and interactive sessions guided participants through operational design, pricing, finance structures, and talent management. At the forum, members were tasked with developing system guides, checklists, and scoreboards—practical tools they can immediately implement in their firms.
Key speakers highlighted the foundational pillars of sustainable business. Charles Dairo, CEO of CKDigital, emphasized the value of simple, accountable systems in business growth: “Keep it simple, make someone responsible, and check your progress every week” he said while Lanre Depiver, CFO of SABI, stressed the need for sound pricing and finance models. Lanre said “Creativity will not carry you far if the money side of your business is broken.”
Also speaking, Ademola Fagbile, Senior Manager at Proten International, who spoke on talent management said “Talent is the reason businesses survive. Retention comes from understanding what truly motivates people—whether recognition, social status, or financial reward.”
Linda Adeyemi, Chairperson of the Membership Committee, reinforced the need for professionalism. According to her, “Interior designers must see beyond creativity. This is a profession that competes globally—not a side hustle.”