Nkechi Ali-Balogun @ 70: Celebrates Career Of Quality Leadership In Nigeria’s IMC Industry
Dr. Nkechi Ali-Balogun’s 70th birthday celebration last weekend, saw congratulatory messages and eulogies pouring in from industry players, platforms, partners and many other well-wishers. It was an all-white outfit gathering where family, friends and colleagues converged at Maryland, Lagos to commemorate the landmark event.
The PR matriarch & Principal Consultant/CEO of NECCI Limited spent the milestone day celebrating and reflecting on her action decades in Nigeria’s public relations and communications terrain . A colleague at the end of the event noted that her voice remained “energetic, composed, and intellectually sharp as ever.”
Ali-Balogun’s credentials reflect a career built on sustained achievement. She holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, which she obtained at age 60. She is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and a Senior Member of the African Public Relations Association (APRA).
Through NECCI Limited, her Lagos-based consultancy, Ali-Balogun has guided corporate clients through reputation management, strategic communications, corporate social responsibility, crisis management, and governance issues. Her professional recognition includes acknowledgment as one of Africa’s leading women in public relations and marketing. In 2021, the Lagos State PR Industry Gala honoured her as the Most Inspiring PR Practitioner.
Beyond client work, Ali-Balogun has shaped the industry through institutional initiatives. She founded the NECCI Public Relations Roundtable, an annual think-tank event that brings industry professionals together for strategic discourse. She also hosts “Chat with NAB,” a podcast featuring discussions on communications practice and emerging industry trends, platforms through which she continues mentoring younger professionals.
In a recent interview, following her birthday, Ali-Balogun reflected on reaching this milestone. She acknowledged that while physical changes accompany aging, her morning walks have reduced from two hours to approximately thirty minutes, saying she does not feel substantially different from when she was 60 or 50.
When asked about turning 70 despite Nigeria’s life expectancy being around 50 plus years, Ali-Balogun stated: “God has been good to me,” emphasizing the spiritual foundation that has sustained her throughout her career. She attributed her continued professional engagement to her faith and work ethic.
