The Industry Newspaper Limited, publisher of The Industry Newspaper (theindustryng.com), has unveiled the lineup of panelists and moderator for the second edition of its flagship leadership event, The Industry Top 50 Men of Impact 2026.
The event, themed “RESPONSIBILITY & IMPACT: The Role of Men as Builders of Brands, Businesses, and Society,” is scheduled to be held on Thursday, 5th November, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The red carpet begins at 2:00 p.m.
Now in its second edition, The Industry Top 50 Men of Impact is an annual roll of honour celebrating 50 distinguished Nigerian men who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in building enduring brands, thriving businesses, and a better society.
This year’s edition will feature two sessions: a one-hour high-level panel discussion and the official presentation of certificates to the 50 honorees.
According to the organisers, this year’s panel was carefully curated to deliver practical insights on responsible leadership, brand building, and sustainable business growth in a challenging economy.
The confirmed panelists are: Franklin Ozekhome, Executive Vice President, Strategy and Innovation, Chain Reactions Africa; Stephen Onaivi, Managing Director, mediaReach OMD Nigeria; Yinka Adebayo, Executive Director, Media Investments, OMG WeCa (Omnicom Media Group); Otis Ojeikhoa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Brands Optimal Limited; and Emmanuel (Charis) Adediran, Business Unit Director and Head of Strategy, Growth & Go-To-Market (Group Role), Plus Acuity.
The panel discussion will be moderated by Kenneth Iruonagbe, Group Head, Digital Marketing at Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, a leading voice in digital transformation and integrated marketing.
Commenting on the lineup, Goddie Ofose, Editor-in-Chief of The Industry Newspaper, said the choice of speakers reflects the essence of the theme.
“This year’s theme, Responsibility & Impact, demands more than celebration; it demands honest conversation. We are not just honouring 50 men; we are interrogating what it truly means to be a man who builds – brands that endure, businesses that employ, and a society that works.
“We deliberately chose these six panelists because they represent the full value chain of building in our industry. They are men who have built agencies from scratch, grown global media investments in a tough economy, engineered experiential platforms that move markets, and led strategy for some of Nigeria’s biggest brands. They understand both the glamour and the grind of responsibility.
“Our moderator, Kenneth Iruonagbe, sits at the intersection of brand and business building inside one of Nigeria’s largest conglomerates, TGI Group. He is perfectly placed to drive a practical, no-fluff conversation. This will not be another talk-shop; it will be a masterclass on responsible leadership and measurable impact,” Ofose said.
He added that the second edition will raise the bar in terms of content, recognition, and impact, consolidating the platform as a credible reference for leadership and excellence in Nigeria’s marketing communications industry and beyond.
The Top 50 Men of Impact 2026 list was compiled after a rigorous review process by The Industry Newspaper, focusing on professional achievements, entrepreneurial leadership, brand stewardship, and societal contributions over the past year.
The event is expected to attract captains of industry, marketing and media executives, business leaders, and policy influencers.
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