28 September 2026
Lagos, Nigeria – September 2026 — Women in Marketing Africa (WiM Africa), in partnership with Women in Advertising (WIA-AAAN), is bringing the Real Talk Debate Series to Lagos this November, convening senior leaders from across Nigeria’s marketing, advertising, media and creative industries for a candid conversation about the country’s creative potential — and what it will take to translate that potential into greater cultural and commercial impact.
Taking place on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, the Lagos edition will explore the theme:
From Creative Ambition to Impact: Is Nigeria Realising Its Creative Potential?
Nigeria is one of Africa’s most influential creative markets, with its music, film, fashion and culture increasingly shaping global trends. The debate will turn the lens on the marketing and advertising industry, asking whether Nigeria is fully converting its wealth of talent, cultural influence and creative ambition into distinctive, effective and globally recognised work.
The conversation will look beyond any single part of the industry to explore the wider ecosystem — from brands and agencies to creative leadership, media, investment and the conditions needed for ambitious ideas to thrive.
The evening will open with a fireside conversation with Steve Babaeko, Founder and Group CEO of X3M Ideas, one of Nigeria’s most internationally recognised advertising leaders; and VP Africa for the International Advertising Association.
The wider panel will bring together seven senior female leaders representing different sides of Nigeria’s marketing and creative ecosystem. Speakers invited to participate include:
Sarah Agha, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries; Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria; Fiona Uwagwu, MD Special Projects & Chief Digital Officer, First Primus Group (WPP Partner); Esosa Osagiede, Creative Director, Insight Publicis; Doris Ohanugo, Senior Vice President, Media Sales; Brenda Nwagwu, President, MIPAN; and Martha Ugbomma Onyebuchi, Director, Southern Region, ARCON
Further speakers and programme details will be announced ahead of the event.
Andrea Djan-Krofa, CEO of Women in Marketing Africa, said:
'“There is no question about the depth of creative talent and cultural influence coming out of Nigeria. What interests us is what happens between that creative ambition and measurable impact. Are we creating the conditions for our best ideas and talent to thrive? Are we being ambitious enough about what Nigerian creativity can achieve — commercially, culturally and globally?
“Real Talk is designed to create space for the conversations our industry needs to have, bringing different perspectives into the same room rather than looking for easy answers. Lagos feels exactly the right place for this conversation.”
Oluwaseyi Layade, Chairperson of Women in Advertising (AAAN), added:
“Nigeria has extraordinary creative energy, but realising its full potential demands collaboration across the entire ecosystem. Brands, agencies, creatives, media owners and industry leaders each have a role to play. This debate offers an opportunity for an open conversation about where we are today, what may be holding us back and, most importantly, what must happen next.”
A pan-African conversation
The Lagos event forms part of WiM Africa’s Real Talk Debate Series, which brings together senior industry leaders to explore some of the questions shaping the future of marketing and creativity across Africa.
Previous editions have tackled issues including Gen Z and big brands in Johannesburg, AI in the marketing and creative industries in Accra, and, most recently, authentic African representation by global brands in Nairobi.
The Nairobi edition, held in June 2026, brought together over 100 industry attendees and senior representatives from organisations including Mastercard, NBA Africa, WPP, Belva Digital, Safaricom and Kantar.
The Lagos debate continues WiM Africa’s ambition to create a platform where Africa’s marketing and creative community can challenge assumptions, exchange perspectives and contribute to the conversations shaping the industry across the continent.
Event details
Real Talk Debate Lagos
From Creative Ambition to Impact: Is Nigeria Realising Its Creative Potential?
Date: Tuesday, 3 November 2026
Time: 4pm
Venue: TBC, Lagos
Tickets: https://tix.africa/discover/wimafricarealtalkdebatelagos
The event is presented by Women in Marketing Africa in partnership with Women in Advertising.
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NOTE TO EDITORS
About Women in Marketing Africa
Women in Marketing Africa is a pan-African professional network connecting, championing and creating opportunities for women across marketing, advertising, communications and the wider creative industries.
Launched in 2018 as the African hub of the global Women in Marketing network, WiM Africa brings together professionals across the continent and diaspora through industry conversations, professional development, recognition, partnerships and community.
Its work is centred around four areas: Educate & Inspire; Recognise & Reward; Connect; and Advocate.
About Women in Advertising
The Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) is the umbrella body that coordinates, promotes, and protects the interests of advertising agencies in Nigeria. Women in Advertising (WIA) is a committee of AAAN that was established to develop female practitioners into outstanding leaders who contribute to the success of their firms and the wider industry. It does this through mentoring, professional guidance, networking events, and by encouraging women to take an active part in the association's activities. The committee also identifies skills gaps, keeps a reliable record of its women members, and involves men in its work so that women's concerns in the practice are addressed.
Beyond this, WIA champions the appointment of qualified women into leadership positions and advocates agency policies that support work-life balance and career progression.
Media enquiries
Women in Marketing Africa Women in Advertising
Andrea Djan-Krofa, CEO Oluwaseyi Layade, Chairperson
hello@wimafrica.com aaanofficial@gmail.com
WiMAfrica.com aaan.org.ng
Source - wimafrica.com