Impact, in its truest sense, transcends visibility or influence—it is the measurable and meaningful difference an individual makes within their professional sphere and beyond. In the integrated marketing communications (IMC) and media landscape, impact is about shaping narratives, inspiring innovation, and driving value that resonates across industries, communities, and generations. Impact is a big deal, as it is reflected in thought leadership that transforms consumer behaviour, strategic insight that guides brand evolution, and mentorship that empowers the next generation of communicators.
Therefore, the Industry Newspaper’s Men of Impact Power List serves as both recognition and reflection—a mirror of excellence and a map for aspiration for the Nigerian integrated marketing communications terrain. By spotlighting male professionals who demonstrate creativity, ethical leadership, and transformative contribution, the list elevates the standards of performance within Nigeria’s fast-evolving IMC ecosystem. It celebrates those who not only succeed commercially but also use their platforms to drive social progress, nurture talent, and expand the country’s creative economy.
In line with this, it must be noted that recognition of this kind is not mere accolade; it is an instrument for inspiration, validation, and accountability.
The importance of such a list lies in its ability to reinforce the value of intentional leadership. As the marketing communications industry navigates digital disruption, audience fragmentation, and the growing demand for authenticity, it is crucial, perhaps more than ever before, to highlight individuals who lead with integrity and strategic foresight. These men, drawn from diverse industries including marketing, communications, media, education, law, theatre and business, embody what it means to convert ideas into influence and influence into positive change within Nigeria and across Africa.
The imperative of the Industry Newspaper’s Men of Impact Power List, therefore, extends beyond celebration; it is a call to sustain excellence and inclusivity and creates a benchmark for the next generation. By institutionalising recognition, the list not only honours achievement but also builds a legacy of leadership that inspires continuity, mentorship, and progress in Nigeria’s marketing and media ecosystem.
The Industry’s Most Influential Practitioners (Men of Impact) 2025
Dr. Felix King Eiremiokhae
Designation – MD/CEO
Organisation – Oracle Experience
Sector – Experiential Marketing
Rationale
As the Founder and Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Felix King Eiremiokhae has propelled Oracle Experience to become a multiple award-winning Advertising and Marketing Agency with operations across Nigeria and Ghana following its incorporation in 2004.
Apart from leading the team behind the building of the cruise will for Gulder Club Ultimate, which positioned Gulder and increased market share years ago, Dr. Eiremiokhae’s agency was the brain behind the infusion of the iconic 69-feet tall statue of Eyo, one of the most culturally-relevant symbols in Nigeria, into the widely-heralded One Lagos festival sponsored by STAR (Lager beer).
Dr. Eiremiokhae has been widely applauded as an industry leader regarded for his vision, innovative approach to experiential marketing projects and his unconventional efforts. As part of his standing as one of the leading figures of the Nigerian integrated marketing communications terrain, he was recognised as the Co-chairman of the 2024 Industry Women Conference, alongside Mrs. Alero Ladipo.
Beyond professional achievements and standing, Dr. Eiremiokhae founded the Felix King Foundation to support widows and vulnerable women through business grants, training, and mentorship. As part of its vibrant Widows Empowerment outreach, the foundation provides empowerment funds and relief efforts for widows and poor women in rural communities, including a N25 million relief fund for widows in Edo, his home state, as well as Lagos State, his base.
A measure of playing big in whatever endeavour he is involved in; the foundation aims to have extended its impact to 36,000 women by 2029.
Ayodeji Razaq
Designation – Group CEO
Organisation – RED | For Africa Communications
Sector – Communications
Rationale
The resume of Ayodeji Rasaq makes for a fascinating read, whether you are focusing on his appointment as CEO for Africa just five years after joining the company, selection for the Forty Under 40 Global Awards in the Marketing & Communications category for 2025, or his TEDx talk on Artificial Intelligence and Marketing. When you add the demonstration of his influence in international dialogue around sustainability at the UN-aligned COP Climate Action Pre-Summit, demonstrating his innovative marketing strategies expertise, there is no doubt about his transformative impact on Africa’s creative and communications sector.
Apart from the demonstrative leadership at RED Media Africa, co-founding The People Company, which further expanded his influence in brand building, strategic communication, and business transformation are important milestones in a career geared towards results-driven excellence and Mr Razaq’s commitment to innovative marketing, leadership, and driving meaningful change in Africa’s communications sector.
O’tega Ogra
Designation – SSA to the President on Digital Media and New Media
Sector – Public Sector/Strategic Comms
Rationale
Despite the view of many that the public sector in Nigeria as a type of poisoned chalice, O’tega Ogra has had a significant impact in office in his current role as Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital Media and New Media. Ogra has been instrumental in driving the Nigerian government’s digital transformation, leveraging his expertise in data-driven public engagement, institutional trust-building, and narrative coherence.
Another important area in which his expertise shines through is Strategic Communications. As the head of the presidential office of digital engagement and strategy, Ogra has reshaped the playbook on how governance earns trust in the digital age, introducing processes and systems that prioritise precision and stability over noise and virality. O’tega Ogra’s achievements demonstrate his commitment to driving meaningful change through strategic communications, digital transformation, and public engagement, cementing his role as a key figure in President Tinubu’s administration.
The achievements of Ogra in office, however striking, do not come as surprise for those who are aware of his standing as a reputation management expert with a propensity for an all-encompassing approach to crisis communication, thought leadership, media relations as pivotal components of strategic communication.
Steve Babaeko
Designation – Group CEO
Organisation – X3M Ideas
Sector – Advertising
Rationale
The story of Steve Babaeko, and by extension, X3M Ideas Group, has been one of remarkable impact in the Nigerian advertising industry. Widely considered a hot bed of ideas ranging from the unconventional to the unhinged and well, if you will, extreme, X3M Ideas has consistently raised the bar of creativity, strategic innovation and excellence in the Nigerian advertising industry.
With international recognitions and awards like the Cannes Lions and African Agency of the Year, X3M Ideas champions African storytelling through socially-conscious campaigns that have elevated Nigeria’s creative industry on a global scale. X3M Ideas has expanded its operations with active touchpoints across the continent, including South Africa and Zambia as part of solidifying its position as a leading advertising agency on the African continent.
Apart from the seemingly effortless positioning of his agency as the benchmark for excellence in Nigeria and beyond, Babaeko served as the President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) for two terms, from 2020 to 2024, becoming the longest-serving president of the association in the AAAN era and second longest-serving if we go all the way back to the May Nzeribe era when it was known as the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria.
Babaeko’s tenure saw AAAN gaining enhanced visibility, improving its financial fortunes, and perhaps most importantly, creating a sense of belonging among members. It is incontrovertible that Babaeko has been instrumental to empowering young professionals and promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry, including the appointment of the first female director of AAAN. Along with this is his legacy of driving business growth, prompt payment of statutory dues, and inter-agency collaboration.
Lanre Adisa
Designation – MD/CEO
Organisation – Noah’s Ark
Sector – Advertising
Rationale
Lanre Adisa’s name has become synonymous with excellence in the Nigeria’s thriving advertising industry, just as the company he leads, Noah’s Ark, has become renowned for delivering some of the most innovative campaigns and strategic insights delivered in this part of the world.
Adisa became the first West African to serve on the Cannes Lions jury in 2018, recognised for his efforts towards putting Nigeria on the global map as well as reshaping the West African advertising landscape. Along the same line, Noah’s Ark has won several awards, including the Grand Prix at the LAIF Awards and the Agency of the Year award at the Cristals.
As an advertising professional, Adisa’s approach has been key to Noah’s Ark’s success story; the importance of creating locally relevant works that resonate with the African experience yet attract global appeal. He has also made nurturing the next generation of creatives in Nigeria his business, serving as Chairman of the Lagos Advertising & Ideas Festival (LAIF) Management Board and directly mentoring many young professionals in the industry.
Having become a powerhouse in the Nigerian advertising industry, his election as the 22nd President of AAAN in July 2024 is indeed, as widely regarded in the marketing communications space, a no-brainer and turning point for the advertising terrain in Nigeria. Beyond AAAN, Adisa is also the Chairman of the Heads of Advertising Sectorial Groups (HASG) and he has set about taking the association to greater heights.
Israel Jaiye Opayemi
Designation – Chief Strategist/CEO
Organisation – Chain Reactions Africa
Sector – Strategic Communication
Rationale
The most telling aspect of Isreal Jaiye Opayemi’s title at Chain Reactions is Chief Strategist and it says a lot about a man who continues to provide valuable insights and perspectives on the Public Relations industry in Nigeria while stressing the essence of strategic storytelling, reputation management, and effective communication.
Widely regarded by many as one of the leading figures in the public relations and reputation management industry in Nigeria and beyond, Opayemi’s election as President of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) and performance in office solidified that reputation. While in office between 2019 and 2024, he focused on professionalism, advocacy, and capacity building within the industry.
As a frontline expert, one of his core tactics is forging strategic partnerships, leading to the selection of Chain Reactions as the Exclusive Nigerian Affiliate and Preferred West Africa Partner of Edelman, the world’s largest PR firm.
With a client roster including Facebook, HP, 9mobile, First Bank of Nigeria, and Polaris Bank, among several others, Opayemi has emphasised the vital role public relations plays for businesses, particularly startups, in building trust, managing crises, and driving growth at many fora.
Some of his awards including Outstanding PR Personality of the Year, PR Practitioner of the Year and Most Influential PR Professional Award at the 2024 LaPRIGA Awards, showcase his continued impact and influence in the industry.
Gboyega Akosile
Designation – Special Adviser, Media & Publicity to Governor Sanwo-Olu
Organisation – Lagos State Government
Sector – Public Sector/Media/Communications
Rationale
Gboyega Akosile has been one of the leading figures in the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State. In the six years of curating the communications strategy of the governor of Nigeria’s commercial hub and the country’s most vibrant state, Akosile has brought his over two decades of experience in journalism, media, and perception management to bear.
Apart from demonstrating strong leadership skills, industry figures in media, public relations and advertising have commended the management and alignment of the administration’s THEMES+ development agenda. As far as many are concerned, Akosile earned huge credit in the bank with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s classy and widely commended response to grievous allegations and slander from the opposing camp before the governor even became the All Progressives Congress candidate in the 2019 Governorship Election.
That Akosile seamlessly transitioned from Chief Press Secretary to Special Adviser, a title reserved for cabinet members, says a lot about his pivotal role within the administration and delicate handling of communication under the present government. Beyond offering clarifying and deploying tactics to confront the humongous monster of fake news and misinformation in the digital era, Akosile has delivered policy advisory, strategic communication and trust building services so far in his role.
Dr. Mike Dada
Designation: MD/CEO, Founder/Executive Producer
Organisation: PRM Africa/AFRIMA
Sector: Public Relations/ Marketing/Entertainment
Rationale
A visionary and highly motivated individual, Mike Dada is one of those Nigerians who leave you breathless as you try to understand the complexity of their thoughts as reflected in words, efforts and projects. How else does one describe a man who bagged a degree in Chemical Engineering, only to go back to school for the purpose of qualifying as a lawyer?
Years after, that pattern of chasing divergent careers and disciplines remain very much a part of his life and purpose. This explains his certifications from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, United Kingdom; Nigeria Institute of Public Relations; Chartered Institute of Marketing, United Kingdom and the National Institute of Marketing Nigeria as well as the Advertising Practitioners’ Council of Nigeria.
Today, he is the Managing Director of PRM Africa Marketing and Communications, through which his company has handled campaigns that propelled governors into office in Lagos, Edo, Osun and Ondo States and even presidents in some African countries.
The All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), a prominent organisation that recognises and celebrates African music talent, which he founded and on which he serves as Executive Producer, is going stronger and reaching a wider audience within and beyond the shores of Africa.
A consummate communication expert, chartered public relations and marketing professional, Mr. Dada was appointed by Bisi Adeyemi, President/Chairman of Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce as Chairman of the chamber’s Creative and Cultural Committee as well as the Vice President of the 5th African Union Pan-African Cultural Congress (PACC5).
Tope Ashiwaju
Designation – Group Corporate Communications and Event Manager
Organisation – Dufil Prima Foods Limited
Sector – Public Relations
Rationale
Tope Ashiwaju brings a unique and strategic approach to corporate communications and event management, driving the promotion of and products and the Dufil Prima Foods Limited brand.
As Group Corporate Communications and Events Manager, the impact of Mr. Ashiwaju’s expertise has been notable across the product lines of Dufil Prima Foods Limited, a leading manufacturer of popular brands such as Indomie Noodles, Mr. Biggs, Kingfisher, and Predella.
Playing within the frontiers of effective communication, event management, brand promotion and stakeholder engagement, Dufil Prima Foods Limited has maintained a strong brand presence, with its products remaining household names in Nigeria and beyond. Ashiwaju has been at the forefront of this drive, building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, including media, customers, and partners to foster a positive image for the company.
Under his watch, Indomie won the Product Excellence Award at the Nigeria Consumer Awards (NiCA) in 2024, which reinforced the brand’s leadership status as Nigeria’s number one noodles brand, among other awards.
Dr. Abisoye Fagade
Designation – Director-General
Organisation – National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR)
Sector – Hospitality
Rationale
Dr. Abisoye Fagade brings over two decades of experience in the marketing communications industry to his role as the current Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR). Of worthy mention, in this regard, is the leadership experience garnered through
his role as Founder/Managing Director of Sodium Brand Solutions, which Dr. Fagade positioned the agency as a major player in Nigeria’s competitive marketing industry, handling campaigns for top brands like Coca-Cola, Guinness, and MTN.
As DG, his vision for NIHOTOUR is towards the revitalisation of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sectors through capacity building, shift in perception, training excellence, strategic partnerships, and events development. Through the aforementioned touch points, Dr Fagade believes Nigeria will be positioned as global hub for hospitality and tourism. And having successfully run a company with business Interests as diverse as boutique, hotels, agriculture, clean water companies, and oil and gas, it is touch to argue with his view point.
In recognition of his commitment to nation-building through peace-related programs and advocacy, job creation, and entrepreneurship, Fagade bagged the Peace Achievers Award in 2019. A man who is at home with culture, he was honoured with the title of Aare Asoju Oba of Ara Kingdom in 2023 and was installed as the first-ever Aare Asoju Oba of Ibadanland in December 2024.
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