ADVAN Africa Awards 2025 celebrates innovation, future of marketing

ADVAN Africa Awards held last weekend in Lagos was a night of remarkable celebrations, with industry leaders, stakeholders, and government officials gathered to honour the finest in advertising, marketing, and branding.

The event, a prominent meeting in Nigeria’s advertising calendar, was graced by Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment.

Osamede Uwubanmwen, President, ADVAN, expressed his gratitude for the Minister’s presence, emphasizing the significance of this milestone in the growth of the Nigerian marketing industry.

“The ADVAN Awards is truly the Oscars of Marketing, and it brings together the finest talent and the most innovative campaigns in the industry,” Uwubanmwen said. He also highlighted that 2025 is a pivotal year for Nigerian marketing, with opportunities to grow and innovate.

In her keynote address, Jumoke Oduwole, underlined the awards as a powerful chance to honour outstanding excellence and leadership in the marketing and advertising sectors across Nigeria and Africa.

“The ADVAN Awards represents creativity, hard work, and the immense positive impact of strategic communications and storytelling in driving customer engagement, economic growth, and fostering industry excellence,” Oduwole stated.

Reflecting on the ongoing transformation within the Nigerian economy, she underscored the critical importance of the marketing and advertising industries in driving the country’s digital transformation and economic diversification.

“As Nigeria continues its journey towards economic diversification, we see the advertising and creative sector playing a central role in fostering global competitiveness, driving job creation, and contributing to growth,” she said.

The minister also expressed her joy in the work consistently achieved by the sector’s visionaries. “The dynamic creativity and energy of Nigeria’s brands and marketing storytellers bring forth new opportunities, and we must push forward boldly, unlocking future potential,” she added.

Ediri Ose-Ediale, Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director, ADVAN, said in total, over 200 entries were received for the 2025 awards, with an increase in the number of submissions from previous years, highlighting the sector’s growing vibrancy.

Ediri, took the stage to reveal the categories for the awards, which included Campaign of the Year, Brand of the Year, Best Use of AI, Innovation, Future Leaders of the Year, with a special industry-specific category to support leading brands.

The night also celebrated ADVAN’s continued commitment to advocacy, professional development, and fostering collaboration within the business sector. The prestigious awards ceremony not only highlighted excellence but also set the bar for marketing effectiveness, ensuring that more brands can unlock their full potential in the ever-evolving marketplace.