Brandcom Awards Inducts Victoria Anyianuka Into Hall of Fame, Celebrates 35 Under 35 Marketing & Communications Professional

Brandcom Awards has inducted Victoria Ndidiamaka Anyianuka, outgoing Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, into its Hall of Fame, the platform’s highest Level of distinction, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to public relations, corporate communications, and the integrated marketing communications industry.

She joins a rich list of marketing communication gurus such as Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman, Troyka Group, Udeme Ufot, Group Managing Director of SO&U; Seni Adetu, a former Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria and Founder/GCEO, First Primus West Africa Limited; Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, Group Managing Director,  CMC Connect Burson Cohn & Wolfe; and Ayo Oluwatosin, Group Managing Director, Rosabel Group, Sir Steve Omojafor, Iquo Ukoh, and others.

The induction, which took place at Landmark Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Saturday, October 24, 2026, celebrated a career spanning more than three decades, marked by leadership in corporate reputation management, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability.

Anyianuka (formerly Uwadoka) is a seasoned public relations and communications professional whose career cuts across several sectors, including information technology, entertainment, beauty, healthcare, and food and beverages. Her professional journey reflects the growing importance of strategic communication in strengthening organisational reputation, building stakeholder confidence, and supporting business objectives.

Before joining Nestlé Nigeria in December 2016, she served as Marketing Communications Manager at Microsoft West and Central Africa, where she managed marketing communications activities across Francophone West and Central African markets. Her experience in the technology sector further broadened her expertise in integrated communications and engagement across diverse audiences.

At Nestlé Nigeria, she served as Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead, helping to shape the company’s corporate reputation, stakeholder relationships, and sustainability communications. Her work covered initiatives relating to nutrition, thriving communities, and environmental responsibility.

Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Anyianuka has contributed to the development of the communications profession through industry leadership and professional engagement. She serves as Vice Chair for Africa of the International Chamber of Commerce’s Advertising and Marketing Commission and chairs the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) Committee of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Experts. She is also the founder of Pivot Nigeria.

Her induction into the Brandcom Awards Hall of Fame reflects the significance of sustained professional contribution and the influence of communications leaders whose work extends beyond individual organisations to the wider industry.

In his welcome address at the ceremony, Convener of Brandcom Awards and Publisher of Brand Communicator, Joshua Ajayi, stresses the platform’s guiding principles of “Prestige, Integrity and Credibility,” stressing that an award derives its value from the trust placed in it. He said the awards maintained their credibility through careful assessment, clear criteria, and a commitment to ensuring that every recognition was earned.

He also urged professionals to recognise that excellence is built over time through consistency, responsibility, and commitment. His message resonated with the significance of the Hall of Fame, which celebrates not simply achievement at a particular moment but a body of work and a lasting contribution to the industry.

The 2026 edition of the Brandcom Awards also recognised 35 Under 35 marketing and communications professionals, celebrating a new generation of industry talent making notable contributions to brand building, strategic communications, advertising, public relations, media, digital marketing, and experiential marketing.

Those recognised in the 35 Under 35 category included Opeyemi Obembe, Marketing Executive at PunterClash Limited; Boluwatife Adedugbe, Category Manager at PZ Cussons; Adedayo Sanusi, Head of Operations and Execution at Brainbox Marketing Limited; Aderinola Gbalajobi, Senior Manager, Marketing and Sales at Optimum Exposures; Oyinkansola Adeboye, Head of Brands and Communications at Zedcrest Group; Olakunle Sanni, Business Lead at Red Media Africa; Tomisin Adeleye, Team Lead, Brands and Communications at Leadway PFA; and Chukwudumebi Odionu, Category Development Manager at GBfoods.

Others were Chidera Muoka, Chief Marketing Officer at BAS Group; Busolami Aderemi, Senior Group Head at Dentsu Creative; Samuel Inioluwa Dokun, Brand and Marketing Communications professional at Princeps Credit System Limited; Ayokunumi Kehinde, Senior Manager and Team Lead, Business Growth and Account Management at Connect Marketing Services; Terry Ebimobowei, Senior Media Manager at AT3 Resources; Adam Opeloyeru, Product Marketing Manager at The Alternative Bank; Oluwafemi Victor-Afolabi, Chief Operating Officer at Creato Urban; Victoria Attasiem, Business Director at Ideas House; and Oluwadamilola Odukoya, Brand Manager at PZ Cussons.

The list also featured Chinemerem Uzochukwu, Brand and Marketing Manager at CWAY Food and Beverages; Idama Chidube Johnpaul, also known as JP Idama, Co-Founder and Creative Director at This and That Creative; Aniekan Ufot, Associate Director, Strategy at SO&U; Jennifer Kanu, Head of Corporate Communications at TAJBank Limited; Ezinne Iheonunaekwu, Head of Marketing Science at MediaReach OMD; Peter James, Category Brand Manager at FrieslandCampina; Hanson Olorunfemi, Head of Marketing and Communications at PalmPay; and Toluwalase Bakare, Head of Corporate Communications at Custodian Investment Plc.

Also recognised were Rene Madumere, Brand Manager for Hennessy at Moët Hennessy Nigeria; Zainab Bakare, Brand Manager at Guinness Nigeria; Samuel Niyi Inioluwa, Media Manager for West Africa at Godrej Consumer Products Limited; Talha Tajudeen, Deputy Creative Director at Leo Burnett; Bukola Ayeni, Team Lead, External Communications and Relations at Union Bank; Ebere Edith Anajama, Regional Brand Manager at Tolaram; Oluseun Adeleke, Senior Brand Innovation professional at FMN Group; Chioma Elijah, Brand Manager, BIC; Maryann Osinachi Okoli, Head, Branding & Digital Communication, BUA Cement; and Gift Uche-Ewule, Brand Manager at Darling.

The inclusion of the 35 Under 35 category alongside the Hall of Fame induction reflects the awards’ recognition of excellence at different stages of professional development. While Anyianuka’s induction celebrates an established career and contributions to the industry, the emerging professionals category highlights a new generation of practitioners helping to shape the future of marketing and communications in Nigeria.