Exclusive: Coca-Cola Elevates Yusuf Murtala To Senior Marketing Director, Stills Africa As Osato Evbuomwan Takes Over Nigeria Marketing Leadership
The Coca-Cola Company has effected a major leadership realignment within its African marketing organisation, with exclusive information obtained by Brand Communicator revealing that foremost marketing leader, Yusuf Murtala has been elevated from his role as Senior Marketing Director for Nigeria to Senior Marketing Director, Stills (Juice & Water), Africa, while accomplished marketing executive, Osato Evbuomwan has been appointed to succeed him as Senior Marketing Director for Nigeria.
The appointments, which are understood to have taken effect internally, reinforce Coca-Cola’s strategy of strengthening African leadership within its commercial and marketing organisation while positioning seasoned executives for broader regional responsibilities. Although the company had not publicly announced the changes as of press time, multiple industry sources familiar with the development confirmed the appointments to Brand Communicator.
Murtala’s elevation marks another major milestone in a marketing career spanning more than two decades across telecommunications, consumer goods and beverages. A Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), he joined The Coca-Cola Company nearly eight years ago and has since progressed steadily through the organisation’s marketing leadership ranks. His career within Coca-Cola has seen him serve as Creative & Content Marketing Manager before rising to Senior Marketing Manager, Marketing Director, and subsequently Senior Marketing Director for Nigeria, where he has led marketing strategy for one of Coca-Cola’s most strategically important markets in Africa.
Before joining Coca-Cola, Murtala built extensive experience across marketing and commercial leadership roles in other multinational organisations, establishing a reputation for delivering business growth through consumer insight, brand building and integrated marketing. In his new capacity as Senior Marketing Director, Stills (Juice & Water), Africa, Murtala is expected to oversee marketing strategy for one of Coca-Cola’s fastest-growing business segments across the continent. The “Stills” portfolio comprises the company’s juice, water and other non-carbonated beverage brands, a category that has become increasingly important to Coca-Cola’s long-term growth strategy as consumer demand continues to diversify beyond traditional carbonated soft drinks.
Succeeding him in Nigeria is Osato Evbuomwan, one of Nigeria’s most accomplished marketing professionals whose appointment brings extensive multinational experience spanning fast-moving consumer goods, premium beverages and luxury brands.
Evbuomwan joins Coca-Cola after serving as Marketing Director at Moët Hennessy Nigeria, where she led the growth of globally renowned luxury wines and spirits brands through culturally grounded and insight-led marketing strategies. Her appointment comes on the heels of increasing international recognition, including her selection as a member of the Luxury Lions Jury at the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, making her one of the few Nigerian marketers to serve on the prestigious global jury.
Her career trajectory reflects a steady rise through some of the world’s leading consumer businesses. She began her marketing journey at Unilever, where she managed several brands before rising to become Marketing Manager and Business Lead for the Skin Cleansing category across West and East Africa. She later joined Diageo, where she led premium spirits portfolios across multiple African markets, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire, before moving to Moët Hennessy Nigeria to head its marketing function. Over more than 16 years, she has built expertise in brand transformation, portfolio growth, consumer insight, innovation and commercial strategy across African markets.
Industry stakeholders believe the appointments position Coca-Cola strongly for its next phase of growth. Murtala’s deep understanding of African consumers and proven track record in building globally recognised brands are expected to support the company’s ambitions for its still beverages portfolio across the continent, while Evbuomwan’s broad cross-category experience, strategic marketing expertise and strong understanding of premium and mass consumer markets are seen as valuable assets for strengthening Coca-Cola’s leadership in Nigeria.