ARCON, NIMN, AAAN, Others Laud WIMCA 2025 For Promoting Excellence, Inclusion In Africa’s Marketing & Communications Landscape

The 2025 edition of the Women in Marketing and Communications Conference and Awards (WIMCA), held at the Landmark Event Centre VI, Lagos, garnered accolades from industry leaders who described the platform as a powerful catalyst for change, excellence, and inclusion in Africa’s marketing and communications landscape.

The event with the theme “Bloom, Boom, Zoom: The Pursuit of Excellence” brought together leading voices, visionary thinkers, and aspiring professionals. It was a call for women to grow, thrive, and soar in their careers.

In his goodwill address, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), commended the organizers for curating a world-class event that continues to shape the future of the industry. “I congratulate the convener and his team for putting together such a well-organized event that is shaping the future of professionals in the industry,” he said. “I will always be available to assist in any way I can to ensure that WIMCA remains a success.”

Lanre Adisa, President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) and the Chairman of the Heads of Advertising Sectorial Groups (HASG), echoed similar sentiments. “I’m truly impressed by how rich and impactful WIMCA has become,” he remarked.

“It’s an event every female professional who wants to progress in marketing and communications should not miss. The energy, ideas, and collaborations here are invaluable.”

For Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi, President of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), the event represented far more than a conference. “I have never seen such a massive number of women in marketing and communications gathered in one place,” she said.

“WIMCA is not only the largest gathering of women professionals in Africa, it’s also one of the most impactful platforms igniting passion, confidence, and ambition. This platform has become a movement that propels women toward attaining enviable heights in marketing, communications, and management.”

Other industry stalwarts, including Lagos NIPR Chairman Samuel Ayetutu and Principal Consultant at NECCI Consulting and the Chairman, Council Committee on Revitalization of PRCAN, Nkechi Ali-Balogun, also lauded the event’s growing impact on the industry’s professional landscape.

In her keynote address, Iquo Ukoh, a seasoned marketing advisor and thought leader, challenged participants to embrace excellence as a personal creed. “The pursuit of excellence is what separates the good from the truly great,” she stated. “Excellence is a choice, an identity, and a mindset shift.”

Speaking on the essence of this year’s theme, the Convener of WIMCA, Joshua Ajayi, emphasized the event’s role in connecting women’s professional journeys. “To Bloom is to grow and find your voice. To Boom is to thrive and make an impact. And to Zoom is to soar — to take that leap to the next level of leadership,” he said. “This year, we’re connecting those dots, from the blooming career of a young professional to that explosive stage where she’s ready to conquer new frontiers.”

The conference featured powerful panel sessions, a fireside chat session, and workshops. Frontline communications experts shared their evolving journey in the industry from professional growth and mastery to leadership and global impact.

These experts include, Dr. Bukky-George Taylor, CEO of Robert Taylor Media; Dr. Abiola ‘Champ’ Salami, Founder of The Peak Performer Africa; Oluwatosin “Olorisupergal” Ajibade, Founder of Olorisupergal Media, Ramat Babah, Director of Treasury at HIS Nigeria and Anastacia Igbokidi, Head of Brand at Moniepoint; Khadija Okunnu, Founder and CEO of Slice Media; Victoria Adewunmi, Managing Director, Watermark & Victoria ;Ayodeji Razaq Group CEO of Red Media; Elohor Olumide-Awe, Head – Non-Alcoholics Portfolio Heineken – Nigerian Breweries; Dr. Emmanuel Agu, Faculty Rome Business School and Tolulope Olurendoro, Founder of NWIPR and Principal Consultant of Mosron Communications.

A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Marketing and Communications, celebrating trailblazers driving transformation across Africa.

In the awards segment, corporate giants such as IHS Nigeria, Coca-Cola, SARA by Wema, and Standard Chartered were recognized for their commitment to gender inclusion and women’s empowerment. IHS Nigeria clinched two awards, Most Outstanding IT and Telecom Company in Gender Inclusion and Most Outstanding IT and Telecom Infrastructure Company in Women Empowerment.

Individual honours went to several outstanding professionals, including Omoefe Ohworakpo, Esosa Osagiede, Chioma Otisi-Igwe, Adenike Ajani, and Elohor Olumide-Awe. Industry veteran Hannah Oyebanjo, Managing Director of Redwood Consulting, received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

As Nigeria’s business landscape continues to embrace diversity and inclusion as drivers of innovation, WIMCA 2025 stands as a beacon of progress, amplifying women’s voices, redefining leadership, and shaping the future of marketing and communications across Africa.