... Sets March 6 for Landmark Leadership Event in Lagos
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| L–R: Mr. Adewale Adesina, Corporate Service Manager, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN); Mrs. Thelma Okoh, Registrar, NIMN; Dr. Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi, President, NIMN; Mrs. Olufade Adenike, Council Member, NIMN; and Mrs. Katchy Anumnu, Membership Committee, NIMN, during the press conference announcing the forthcoming Leaders in Marketing Conference in Lagos. |
The atmosphere was measured but purposeful in Lagos on Tuesday as the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) formally unveiled plans for what it describes as a defining moment in Nigeria’s marketing profession.
At a press briefing led by its President, Dr. Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi, the Institute announced that it will host its maiden Leadhers in Marketing Conference on Friday, March 6, 2026 — a gathering that will officially launch its Women in Marketing Initiative.
The event is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. at The Civic Centre in Victoria Island, the conference is strategically aligned with International Women’s Day, underscoring a deliberate commitment to advancing female leadership within Nigeria’s marketing ecosystem.
Marketing has long shaped public perception, built brands, and driven economic growth. Yet within boardrooms and executive corridors, marketing professionals — particularly women — have not always commanded proportional institutional authority.
That paradox formed the backdrop of NIMN’s announcement.
While women dominate segments of marketing such as brand management, corporate communications, advertising, and consumer engagement, the transition from functional excellence to enterprise leadership has often lacked structure.
The Institute’s Women in Marketing Initiative appears positioned as a structural response to that imbalance.
Dr. Bayo-Ajayi was emphatic that the initiative is not a symbolic platform.
“We are not just calling it Women in Marketing,” she stated. “We are building Leaders in Marketing.”
That distinction defines the programme’s architecture.
According to the NIMN President, the initiative is anchored on five pillars: leadership, visibility, impact, growth, and professional development.
Leadership focuses on competence and ethical stewardship. Visibility addresses underrepresentation at senior corporate levels. Impact reinforces meritocracy — a rejection of tokenism. Growth underscores continuous development, while mentorship bridges generational divides within the profession.
The question, she suggested, is no longer whether women are present in marketing — but whether they are systematically prepared and positioned to influence its future at the highest levels.
The conference theme — “Redefining Influence: Women Shaping the Future of Marketing” — reflects what the Institute describes as a recalibration of power within the profession.
Serving as Special Guest of Honour is Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, highlighting NIMN’s statutory alignment under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
The keynote address will be delivered by Osayi Alile, Chief Executive Officer of Coronation Foundation.
The panel discussion will feature senior industry executives including Fiona Ahmed of Coca-Cola, Adebola Williams of Promasidor, and Oyeneye Ike-Nwaokolo of MTN Nigeria.
Moderating the panel session is Chizor Malize, Managing Director of FITC.
A fireside chat will feature Folake Soetan, CEO of Ikeja Electric, focusing on executive visibility and digital leadership presence. The session will be moderated by Tosin Adefeko of AT3 Resources.
Notably, participation in the conference is free.
By removing financial constraints, NIMN signals that leadership development should not be restricted by access or hierarchy — a strategic decision aimed at widening participation across professionals, aspiring marketers, and students.
Dr. Bayo-Ajayi emphasised that the initiative is not a standalone gender advocacy campaign, but a strategic effort to strengthen the profession itself.
Marketing, she argued, cannot afford to underutilise half of its intellectual capital.
If sustained beyond the symbolism of International Women’s Day, the Leadhers in Marketing Conference could mark a pivot — repositioning marketing from an influential function to an influential leadership pathway.
And in that recalibration lies the real redefinition of influence.