As part of preparation for its Annual General Meeting and prestigious Awards for Excellence, the Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN) has named industry experts, Olu Akanmu, Academic Director, Lagos Business School; Ifeoluwa Esther Obafemi, General Manager, Modern Retail; Idiare Atimomo, Co-Founder and COO at Up In The Sky NG; Dr. Tola Bamigbaiye Elatuyi, Chair, Brand Advisory Board, Meristerm Nigeria and Franklin Ozekhome, Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Maskvrade, as members of its 2025 awards jury.
The Jury, chaired by Olu Akanmu, consists of creative legends and marketing powerhouses who will bring vision, integrity, and expertise to the vetting table. These are the industry leaders entrusted with selecting the very best in experiential excellence.
Meet the EXMANAwards 2025 Jury
Olu Akanmu is a seasoned business leader. He was, until recently, President and Co-CEO of OPay-Nigeria, one of the country’s top fintech unicorns. His dynamic C-suite journey spans fintech, telecommunications, FMCG, banking, healthcare, and the non-profit sector, holding key roles at FCMB, Airtel, MTN, Bank PHB, Glaxo, and Insight Communications. An alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Lagos State University, and the University of Witwatersrand, he brings strategic depth and innovation to this year’s jury.
Ifeoluwa Esther Obafemi, is a marketing communications professional with over 18 years of experience, she is a transformational business leader known for driving strategic excellence across marketing, sales, digital transformation, and organizational leadership, including leading Digital, Media & Insights for FrieslandCampina’s Sub-Saharan Africa cluster, she oversees operations in 45 countries, championing innovation and growth. Recognised among the 45 Most Influential Women in Digital Transformation in Africa, she brings unmatched depth and global perspective to this year’s jury.
Idiare Atimomo is a Lagos-based agency celebrated for its award-winning creativity across advertising, film, and marketing. A Chartered Marketer (UK), psychologist by training, and 2019 Cannes Lions speaker, he brings a wealth of insight from the worlds of consulting, telecoms, and advertising.
Dr. Tola Bamigbaiye Elatuyi is a marketing communications professional with over two decades of strategic leadership across top-tier FMCG and financial institutions, Dr. Elatuyi brings unmatched expertise in consumer behaviour, brand management, and marketing innovation. Currently serving as Chair of the Brand Advisory Board at Meristem Nigeria, her presence on the jury reaffirms our commitment to excellence in experiential marketing.
Franklin Ozekhome is a Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Maskvrade, as a Distinguished Juror for the EXMAN Awards 2025. His visionary leadership and creative insight promise to elevate this year’s jury panel.
Recall that EXMAN recently opened its doors to entries from member agencies. This year’s call invites submissions for campaigns activated between January 1, 2023, and December 30, 2024. From tactile retail engagements to immersive digital activations, the award categories mirror the diversity of consumer touchpoints now dominating the marketing landscape.
According to the association, the 2025 awards edition is designed to celebrate the ingenuity, precision, and human connection that define standout experiential campaigns across Nigeria. Evolving into a key pulse point in the country’s marketing ecosystem, the ceremony serves as a platform to spotlight the evolution of experience-led storytelling and its role in shaping brand equity.