Advertisers Association of Nigeria has confirmed plans for the 2026 edition of the ADVAN African Awards for Marketing Excellence, scheduled to hold on March 28, 2026, at the MUSON Centre, Lagos. The ceremony will commence at 5:00 p.m. and is expected to draw senior marketing executives, business leaders, and brand strategists from across Africa.
The 2026 awards mark a defining moment in the history of the platform with the introduction of international judges for the first time. The foreign jury features Mounir Jazouli, Chief Communications and Institutional Relations Officer at Bank of Africa, Morocco; Brian Yuyi, Chief Executive Officer of the Marketing Association of South Africa; and Emmanuela Milne, Research Consultant at Revelator Research Inc., United States. ADVAN said the move reflects its push to align the awards with global best practices and raise judging standards.
The international panel will be complemented by a seasoned group of Nigerian judges drawn from academia and industry. They include Professor Bolajoko Nkemdinim Dixon-Ogbechi; Aderemi Victor Ademilua of Covenant University; Abidemi Junaid of Kantar; Toruka Osadunkwu of Marketing Heritage Ltd; and Zion Rufus, Vice President, Communications and Events at ADMARP.
ADVAN stated that the blend of international and local expertise is designed to ensure rigorous evaluation of entries while reflecting both global perspectives and regional market realities. The awards will continue to spotlight campaigns and brands that demonstrate creativity, effectiveness, and measurable market impact across sectors.
The ceremony will also feature a keynote address by Obafemi Banigbe, Chief Executive Officer of T2 Mobile, who is expected to speak on innovation, consumer engagement and the future of brand-building in Africa’s fast-evolving markets.
In recognition of leadership excellence, ADVAN will honour three top chief executives for their contributions to corporate growth and industry development. They are Olusegun Alebiosu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria; Girish Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria; and Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria.
ADVAN reaffirmed that the 2026 edition will go beyond trophies, positioning the awards as a meeting point for ideas, influence and collaboration within Africa’s marketing ecosystem. The association said the event remains central to its mission of promoting excellence, innovation and professional standards in marketing communications across the continent.
