The 2025 edition of the Women in Marketing and Communications Conference and Awards (WIMCA) is set to honour one of Africa’s most respected marketing leaders, Hannah Oyebanjo, with the Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of her remarkable contributions to the growth and professionalism of Nigeria’s integrated marketing communications industry.
Oyebanjo, who is the Managing Director of Redwood Consulting and CEO, Nigeria of the Republicom Group, has built a distinguished career spanning over three decades across marketing, advertising, sales, and brand management. She is also the Lead Faculty at Redwood Academy and Principal Partner at Hannah & Associates Ltd, the organization behind Executive Diamonds Ladies Weekend Out and Silver Liners—two pioneering initiatives designed to prepare more women for executive leadership roles and mentor younger professionals to assume greater corporate responsibilities.
Her recognition at WIMCA 2025 follows her enduring impact on the marketing and communications ecosystem. The Lifetime Achievement Award, one of WIMCA’s most prestigious honours, is reserved for industry icons who have not only achieved excellence but have also dedicated their careers to empowering others and advancing the cause of women in leadership.
A marketing expert with an enviable pedigree, Oyebanjo has held several high-level positions including Marketing Director at Colgate Palmolive Nigeria and Marketing Director at GlaxoSmithKline, a multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company. Throughout her career, she has played key roles in launching leading brands, reversing market share declines, and driving significant growth for both multinational and local brands. Her track record of building strong consumer connections, fostering innovation, and leading teams with vision has earned her respect across the industry.
Beyond her corporate career, Hannah Oyebanjo has been instrumental in shaping industry standards and policy direction. She served as a member of the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP), a sub-committee of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) responsible for approving advertising materials in Nigeria, for seven years. Her tenure on the panel contributed immensely to strengthening the regulatory and ethical framework governing marketing communications in the country.
A consummate professional, she is a registered member of multiple professional bodies including APCON, the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), ADVAN, the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM UK), the Marketing Association of South Africa (MASA), the Entrepreneur Organization (EO), the Institute of Strategic Studies, and the Institute of Directors. Over the years, she has also served in various leadership capacities within these organizations, including APCON, ADVAN, and the Entrepreneur Organization, further solidifying her reputation as a thought leader and mentor in the industry.
Oyebanjo’s commitment to mentorship and knowledge sharing is well-documented. She is a sought-after public speaker and trainer, having taught and facilitated sessions at institutions such as the Lagos Business School (LBS), Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Chartered Institute of Marketing, and Alphabet Media Academy. She has also trained participants under WIMBIZ, FATE Foundation, and other private and public sector initiatives across Nigeria. A proud alumnus of the Lagos Business School and the University of Cape Town, she continues to inspire professionals through her work with mentoring platforms, including the LBS Alumni Programme.
A member of the John Maxwell Team, Oyebanjo is also a conference speaker, author, and leadership trainer who devotes much of her time to shaping the next generation of professionals. She has authored three books — Predictable Future, Careerpreneur, and Predictable Career (God in the Marketplace) — which provide valuable insights on purpose-driven career development and leadership in the corporate world.
Her excellence has been recognized through numerous professional honours. In 2022, she was inducted as a Fellow of the advertising profession in Nigeria by APCON in recognition of her invaluable contributions to the development and advancement of advertising and integrated marketing communications. She is also an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria, and a recipient of the Marketing World Honor and Clients (Advertisers) Association of Nigeria Awards (2011).
Outside the corporate sphere, Oyebanjo’s passion for human development continues to find expression through the Predictable Future Foundation, a non-profit organization she founded to promote the education and empowerment of the girl child. The foundation is dedicated to providing basic educational needs and instilling values of integrity and character in young girls, reflecting her lifelong belief that sustainable development begins with educating and empowering women.
Oyebanjo currently serves on the boards of several organizations across sectors including ICT, education, marketing communications, and insurance, where she continues to lend her expertise and strategic insight to corporate growth and transformation.
According to the convener of WIMCA, Joshua Ajayi, her recognition at WIMCA 2025 underlines the values of excellence, mentorship, and service that define her career. “In celebrating Mrs. Hannah Oyebanjo, the Women in Marketing and Communications Conference and Awards not only honours a pioneer but also reaffirms its mission to spotlight women who embody leadership, integrity, and vision, women who have inspired generations and continue to pave the way for others in Africa’s marketing and communications industry,” he said