One of Africa’s most accomplished advertising and media leaders, with nearly three decades of experience across Africa, North America, and Europe, Dr Tayo Oyedeji, has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at AIKIDO Agency after serving for three months in an advisory capacity.
Throughout Oyedeji’s career, he has led some of the industry’s most respected organisations and advised brands across multiple sectors on strategy, media, communications, marketing, and business transformation. Most recently, Dr Oyedeji served as Chief Executive Officer of Insight Redefini/Publicis Groupe Nigeria.
Before that, he was Managing Director of Publicis Media Africa, based in Johannesburg, where he led media operations across the continent. His career also includes senior leadership positions at OMD, Publicis Groupe, and leading independent agencies, giving him deep experience spanning both global best practice and African market realities. Dr Oyedeji is the founder of the agency he now leads with the ambition of making it Africa’s leading independent integrated marketing communications company.
Beyond advertising, Dr Oyedeji has founded and scaled technology businesses while building high-performing corporate organisations. His return to the agency he founded with Dolapo Ogunbambo reflects a long-standing commitment to combining strategy, creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship to build businesses that shape culture.
He holds a PhD in Media Management from the University of Missouri–Columbia and an MBA from the University of Oxford, combining academic rigour with extensive operational experience. Dr Oyedeji will work alongside AIKIDO Agency co-founder and Managing Director Dolapo Ogunbambo to expand the agency’s capabilities, deepen client partnerships, and win new business across Africa. Already recognised for its strategic thinking, award-winning creativity, and integrated media expertise, AIKIDO Agency serves a growing portfolio of Nigerian and pan-African brands.
“The future belongs to independent agencies that combine world-class strategy, exceptional creativity, data, technology and speed,” said Dr Oyedeji. “AIKIDO Agency has built an outstanding culture and a strong reputation for delivering meaningful business impact. I’m excited to partner with Dolapo and the team as we build an agency that not only delivers extraordinary work but also helps redefine what an African agency can become.”
“Having Dr Oyedeji back at the helm is a defining moment for AIKIDO Agency,” said Dolapo Ogunbambo, Co-founder and Managing Director. “His experience, strategic vision, and passion for building enduring businesses perfectly complement our ambition. Together, we’re building an agency that competes with the very best in the world while remaining proudly African.”
Under its renewed leadership, AIKIDO Agency enters its next chapter with a focus on integrated brand strategy, creative excellence, media innovation, technology-enabled marketing, and measurable results for clients across Africa and beyond.
