…celebrates top Industry leaders

By Efe Onodjae

The Advertisers Association of Nigeria is set to host a landmark edition of the ADVAN African Awards for Marketing Excellence on March 28, at the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

The event is expected to bring together leading voices in marketing and business across Africa for an evening of recognition, networking and industry insights.

A major highlight of this year’s edition is the introduction of an international judging panel for the first time in the awards’ history. The panel comprises Mounir Jazouli, Chief Communications and Institutional Relations Officer at Bank of Africa, Morocco; Brian Yuyi, CEO of the Marketing Association of South Africa; and Emmanuela Milne, Research Consultant at Revelator Research Inc., United States.

The inclusion of the international jury, according to organisers, reflects ADVAN’s commitment to enhancing credibility and aligning the awards with global best practices.

The international judges will be supported by a panel of local experts drawn from academia and industry. Members include Bolajoko Nkemdinim Dixon-Ogbechi; Aderemi Victor Ademilua; Abidemi Junaid; Toruka Osadunkwu; and Zion Rufus.

ADVAN said the blend of global and local expertise is designed to ensure a rigorous and transparent evaluation process.

The awards, widely regarded as a flagship platform for celebrating creativity and effectiveness in marketing, will also feature a keynote address by Obafemi Banigbe, Chief Executive Officer of T2Mobile, who is expected to speak on emerging trends and opportunities within Africa’s evolving marketing landscape.

In addition, three top industry leaders will be honoured as icons for their contributions to business growth and leadership. They are Olusegun Alebiosu, Managing Director/CEO of First Bank of Nigeria; Girish Sharma, CEO of Guinness Nigeria; and Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria.

ADVAN reiterated that the awards aim to promote innovation, reward excellence and foster collaboration within the marketing industry.

The association remains the umbrella body for advertisers in Nigeria, representing professionals and organisations across the country and beyond.