L-R; Ediri Ose-Ediale CEO ADVAN, O”Tega Ogra elected President, Aare Fatai Odesile Trustee, Osamede Uwubamwen outgoing President. (Image credit: ADVAN)
The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has elected O’Tega Ogra as its new President, ushering in a new phase of leadership focused on collaboration, innovation and trust as key drivers of growth in Nigeria’s rapidly changing business environment.
Ogra’s election took place at the Association’s 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, after which ADVAN held an Executive Leadership Session at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja.
The new ADVAN President, who is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communications, Engagement and New Media Strategy and a member of the Governing Council of the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), succeeds Osamede Uwubanmwen.
Uwubanmwen’s tenure was marked by efforts to deepen collaboration, strengthen advocacy and improve engagement among stakeholders within Nigeria’s marketing communications industry.
In his acceptance remarks, Ogra praised his predecessor for his contribution to the growth and development of the Association.
“I would like to sincerely thank our immediate past President, Osamede Uwubanmwen, for his sacrifice, commitment and outstanding work in advancing the interests of advertisers and strengthening our industry. We are committed to building on the solid foundation that has been laid as we work together to position ADVAN for even greater impact,” he said.
Ogra said his administration would focus on improving cooperation within the industry, promoting innovation and professional development, while also pursuing constructive engagement with regulators in the interest of advertisers and brand owners.
He further advocated dialogue in resolving disagreements between industry stakeholders and regulators.
“Sometimes you can’t use the same weapons that you used to fight a war to solve the war. Let’s see how we can get the people who consider themselves our enemies back to the table. We are ready to meet as partners in an atmosphere of mutual respect because the industry stands to benefit more from collaboration than conflict,” he stated.
The leadership transition was followed by the ADVAN Executive Leadership Session, which featured presentations on Nigeria’s economic outlook, changing consumer behaviour and the growing importance of trust in an artificial intelligence-driven environment.
Dr. Doyin Salami, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of KAINOS EDGE Consulting Ltd., delivered the first keynote address, titled, “The New Rules of Growth: Navigating Nigeria’s Evolving Economy and Consumer Landscape.”
According to Salami, businesses must respond to a market where consumers are increasingly prioritising affordability and value.
“Volume is replacing price,” he said, stressing that businesses could no longer rely primarily on price increases to drive growth as consumers become more cautious and value-conscious.
He identified affordability, innovation, operational efficiency and a deeper understanding of consumer needs as increasingly important to business competitiveness. He also highlighted the growing relevance of regulation, agility and strategic capital allocation in shaping business performance.
The second keynote address was delivered by Crystal I. Berger, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of EBO and Vettify™. Her presentation, titled, “The Future of Brand Trust: Thriving in an AI-Powered World,” examined the implications of artificial intelligence, deepfakes and digital misinformation for organisations and brands.
Berger said the growing sophistication of AI-generated content had made credibility and verification increasingly important to businesses seeking to maintain consumer confidence.
“Attention gets you noticed. Trust gets you chosen,” she said, urging organisations to invest deliberately in transparency, credibility and systems that reinforce trust.
She added that businesses capable of developing strong trust infrastructure would be better equipped to compete and lead in the emerging digital economy.
The discussions reinforced the need for Nigerian advertisers and brands to combine sound economic decision-making with responsible innovation as technology, regulation and consumer expectations continue to evolve.
ADVAN also announced the composition of its new Executive Council. Gloria Nwabuike was elected First Vice President, while Maurice Igugu emerged as Second Vice President.
Seni Ogunkola was elected Treasurer, with Adeola Amosun taking the position of Publicity Secretary. Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, James Odejimi, Martha Ojei Kayode, Omobolanle Osotule and Oge Maduakwu were elected as Executive Council Members.
Ediri Ose-Ediale remains the Chief Executive Officer of the Association.
With a new executive team now in place, ADVAN is set to focus on strengthening collaboration across Nigeria’s marketing communications ecosystem, promoting responsible advertising and supporting advertisers as they navigate an increasingly digital, technology-driven and AI-influenced business environment.
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