Outstanding professionals and organisations driving innovation in marketing, technology, and business transformation were celebrated at the just-concluded MarkHack 5.0 Awards Night, held alongside the hackathon finale in Lagos.
The prestigious awards ceremony recognised exceptional achievements across multiple categories, comprising both individual and corporate awards. The event brought together business leaders, marketing professionals, technology experts, and industry stakeholders to honour individuals and organisations shaping the future of Africa’s digital economy.
The first award of the evening, the Data and Insight Excellence Award, recognised professionals who have successfully leveraged data analytics and consumer insights to drive strategic decision-making and improve business performance.
The award was presented by Peter Bamkole, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Pan Atlantic University, alongside Iquo Ukoh, Chief Executive Officer of Entod Marketing.
Nominees in the category included Uyi Stewart, Seyi Akindeinde, Olawande Meyoungbo, and Abisiga Mojeed. After a competitive selection process, Olawande Meyoungbo emerged as the winner for his contributions to data-driven business strategy and performance improvement.
The second award, AI-Driven Content Creator of the Year, celebrated creators using emerging technologies and digital platforms to deliver impactful content and engage audiences across multiple channels.
The nominees were Comfort Obiagbaoso, popularly known as Comfitech; Ebubechukwu Obiagbaoso, known as Decotechie; Emtech (Emdottech); and Tobi Ayeni, widely recognised as Misstechy.
The award went to Comfort Obiagbaoso (Comfitech) in recognition of her growing influence in the technology content space and her commitment to simplifying complex technology topics for wider audiences.
One of the most anticipated corporate categories of the evening was the AI Innovation in Betting, Gaming and Entertainment Award, which honoured organisations that have successfully deployed advanced technologies to improve customer engagement, personalisation, and user experiences within the entertainment sector.
The nominees were BetKing, Bet9ja, Maliyo Games, and SportyBet. Following the announcement, BetKing emerged as the winner of the category. Representatives of the company, including Head of Marketing Nengi Akinola, received the award and joined the presenters for a commemorative photograph.
Another notable corporate category was the Retail Technology Platform of the Year Award, which recognised companies transforming commerce through innovative technology solutions that improve efficiency, accessibility, and supply chain performance.
The nominees were OmniRetail, TradeDepot, and Sabi. Following a closely contested process, OmniRetail emerged as the winner, earning recognition for its contribution to strengthening retail distribution and digital commerce across the market.
The spotlight then shifted to financial services innovation with the presentation of the AI-Powered Banking Experience of the Year Award. The category celebrated financial institutions leveraging artificial intelligence and digital technologies to enhance customer experience, service delivery, and banking accessibility.
The nominees included Zenith Bank, ALAT by Wema, OPay, and Access Bank. After evaluating the institutions’ innovation and customer-centric solutions, ALAT by Wema emerged as the winner of the category.
The spotlight then shifted to marketing leadership with the presentation of the CMO Digital Transformation and Growth Award, which recognises chief marketing officers who have successfully used technology and innovation to drive measurable business growth.
The award was presented by Tunbosun Alake, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, alongside Adetutu Afolabi, Chief Executive Officer of Wellness Healthcare Group.
Nominees included Cherry Eromosele, Onyinye Ikenna Emeka, Mabel Adeteye, Jide Sipe, and Ifesinachi Okoli Okpagu. The award was ultimately won by Onyinye Ikenna Emeka for her leadership in driving digital transformation and delivering sustainable business outcomes.
Another major highlight of the evening was the CMO Innovation and Future Impact Award, which honours marketing leaders redefining the profession through bold thinking, innovation, and future-focused strategies.
The category featured distinguished nominees including Anastacia Igbokidi, Joshua Chibueze, Olushola Obagbemi, Majolie Obaje, and Ilyas Kazeem. In the female category, the award was presented to Majolie Obaje, whose contributions have helped shape innovative marketing approaches and business growth strategies.
In the male category, Ilyas Kazeem emerged as the winner, earning recognition for his forward-thinking leadership and commitment to advancing innovation-driven marketing practices.
The awards also recognised excellence in the creative industry through the AI Innovation in Film and Content Production Award, which celebrates groundbreaking use of artificial intelligence in storytelling, filmmaking, and digital content creation.
Makemation emerged as the winner of the category, receiving recognition for pushing the boundaries of technology-enabled content production and demonstrating the growing role of AI in Africa’s creative ecosystem.
The final award category of the night, AI-Generated FMCG Campaign of the Year, recognised consumer goods brands that successfully leveraged emerging technologies and data-driven creativity to execute impactful marketing campaigns.
Presented by Adetutu Afolabi and Abiola Salami, the category featured strong contenders including Golden Terra, Indomie, and Three Crowns.
After reviewing the campaigns’ creativity, execution, and market impact, Three Crowns emerged as the winner, earning recognition for a campaign that effectively connected with consumers while demonstrating innovation in brand communication.
The awards ceremony brought the curtains down on another successful edition of MarkHack, reinforcing the platform’s role as a leading gathering for marketing, innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Through its recognition of outstanding talent and transformative ideas, MarkHack continues to spotlight individuals and organisations contributing to the growth of the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
