The 12th edition of the Women in Marketing Communications Conference and Awards (WIMCA) is set to hold tomorrow, Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, bringing together leading female professionals and stakeholders across Nigeria’s marketing communications and business landscape. Registration starts at 10 am while formal activities begin at 11 am.
Billed as the largest gathering of female professionals in brands and marketing communications, WIMCA 2026 will be a full-day programme featuring a conference, exhibition, gala dinner and awards ceremony. The event will commence in the morning with a conference anchored by seasoned resource persons before moving into the evening gala and awards segment.
Commenting on this year’s theme, “Grow, Give, Glow: Building Resilience For Distinction,” Joshua Ajayi, Convener of WIMCA, said it was deliberately developed to reflect the realities of the modern professional journey and the changing nature of careers. “The theme is predicated on the fact that lasting professional success is rarely a straight line; it is built through seasons of reinvention, quiet resilience, and the willingness to begin again in pursuit of a bigger purpose,” he said.
According to Ajayi, the conference will explore how professionals can turn the challenges and changes encountered throughout their careers into opportunities for greater impact and distinction.
The keynote address will be delivered by Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, who is expected to set the tone for discussions around resilience, professional growth, reinvention and distinction in today’s evolving business environment.
WIMCA 2026 will also bring together a strong lineup of speakers drawn from marketing, communications, banking, consumer goods, entrepreneurship and professional development. Confirmed speakers include Funmi Osineye of Nestlé Nigeria, Tolulope Medebem of Aster Integrated Marketing, Gloria Nwabuike of AACE Foods, Dr Nkiru Olumide-Ojo of Standard Bank Group, Dr Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi, President of NIMN, Bodam Taiwo of Diageo, Martha Kayode of PZ Cussons, Solape Akinpelu of HerVest, Kenneth Iruonagbe of TGI, Chidera Ibekwe of Procter & Gamble, and Dr Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi of the Society for Corporate Governance, among others.
The conference is also attracting significant corporate backing, with several leading Nigerian and multinational brands supporting the 2026 edition. They include Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN), Molped, Interswitch, Three Crowns, Union Bank of Nigeria, PZ Cussons, Coca-Cola, IHS Tower, Power Oil, Maggi, Stanbic IBTC, AACE Foods, CWAY and Rubellite Cosmetics.
The diverse coalition of sponsors and partners cuts across food and agro-allied manufacturing, feminine hygiene, fintech and digital payments, dairy and FMCG, banking, household and industrial products, telecommunications infrastructure, and beauty and personal care.
Now in its 12th year, WIMCA was established in 2014 to identify and address the challenges holding back many women in the marketing communications profession and to provide practical, workable solutions.
Over the years, the platform has evolved into one of the industry’s influential gatherings dedicated to the professional growth, recognition and empowerment of women in marketing communications, providing a space for knowledge exchange, networking, mentorship and recognition.
The 2026 edition will culminate in an awards ceremony celebrating exceptional women and organisations that have made significant contributions to the marketing communications and wider business ecosystem.
One of the major highlights of the evening awards segment will be the recognition of the Top 50 Most Influential personalities, further spotlighting individuals whose leadership, achievements and impact have shaped the industry and contributed to its growth.
With its blend of professional development, networking, exhibition, celebration and recognition, WIMCA 2026 is expected to provide a platform for women across the industry to connect, learn, celebrate achievements and explore new possibilities for career and business advancement.