Community /kəˈmjuːnɪti/: a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society.
I know you’re probably wondering why I started this article this way. Well, stay with me, and I’ll give you the context. My name is Amanda, and I am from the marketing department at Terminal Africa. We’re a logistics software company that makes it easy for anyone to ship from Nigeria to anywhere in the world.
We recently organized our first masterclass, Takeoff Masterclass, as we titled it, and I’m here to tell you all about it so you don’t feel like you missed out on anything.
It all started during our trip to Ibadan. My team and I were discussing ways to empower individuals interested in logistics who want to start or grow in the industry but need a stepping stone. We wanted to give back to the community—no fees, no strings. That’s when the masterclass idea took off. One of our core values at Terminal is setting businesses up for success, and this felt like a true reflection of that mission. When we returned to Lagos, it was time to plan and strategize.
Our Goals and Preparations for the Masterclass
Before the event began, I felt a mix of excitement and anticipation. I knew what we hoped to see: people showing up eager to learn, ask questions, and network. More than anything, we wanted each person to walk away feeling like they’d gained something real and practical. So, we made sure that we curated the best panelists and put adequate effort into publicizing the event.
For Terminal, this masterclass allowed attendees to dive into the logistics world in a supportive, insightful setting. We wanted to create an open space where questions, ideas, and tips flowed freely, helping each participant feel equipped to take on the industry.
What were our Top Moments and Key Lessons?
From the moment the event started, the energy was electric. The lively and interactive audience made it feel more like a community gathering than a formal seminar. They asked questions enthusiastically, eager to learn from the panelists, who shared down-to-earth, practical advice that everyone could understand and apply.
Our panelists covered important topics:
- Lateefah Oseni and Genevive Njoku from Terminal Africa, Sunday Lawal from THEPEP Logistics, and Tolulope Oguntade from Parcels Nigeria Logistics led the discussion on starting a logistics business, branding, and positioning.
- Adedamola Sanusi and Adaeze Ukaegbu from Terminal Africa, Babatunde Ogunlana from Ship Beta Logistics, and Esther Kalu from Maxmove Logistics shared tips on pricing and setting up logistics operations.
One of the most exciting moments was our pitching session. We invited a few businesses to pitch their ideas, and the winning team walked away with 500,000 Naira in shipping credits, a reward that would definitely help boost their growth. It was amazing to see how thrilled they were to get this support.
How did our Audience react to the sessions?
The feedback from the audience was incredible. Many attendees told us how insightful they found each session, and they took full advantage of the opportunity to interact with the panelists, asking question after question. The atmosphere was buzzing with curiosity and enthusiasm, and it was clear that everyone was there to gain something meaningful.
How is Terminal Building a 3PL Community through this Masterclass?
One of the best parts of the event was seeing attendees connect and form relationships. We had growing 3PLs (third-party logistics businesses) meeting with more established ones, sharing insights, and creating partnerships. The sense of community was undeniable, and knowing that our event had helped people find new connections was incredibly fulfilling.
What does the Future look like?
Looking back on this masterclass, I feel so proud of what we achieved together. We set out to create a space for logistics enthusiasts to learn, grow, and connect, and that’s exactly what happened. And this is only the beginning! At Terminal, we’re committed to building up this community, one event at a time.
So, if you couldn’t make it to this one, keep an eye out—more masterclasses are coming, and we’d love to have you be part of them.
