ADVAN introduces international judging panelists in 2026 awards, honours MTN, Guinness, First Bank CEOs

The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) is set to deliver a landmark edition of the ADVAN African Awards for Marketing Excellence as it takes centre stage this coming weekend in Lagos

The event will see the gathering of most influential voices in marketing and business from across the continent for an evening that promises recognition, insight, and inspiration.

This year’s awards, according to the association, mark a defining moment in the evolution of the platform, as ADVAN introduces, for the very first time, a panel of three distinguished international judges, underscoring its growing global outlook and commitment to world-class standards.

The international 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., USA. Their inclusion signals a bold step toward elevating the credibility and global relevance of the awards, ADVAN said.

Complementing the international panel is a group of judges drawn from academia and industry, further strengthening the integrity and depth of the evaluation process. They include Bolajoko Nkemdinim Dixon-Ogbechi, Professor of Marketing & Decision Sciences and respected marketing consultant; Aderemi Victor Ademilua of Covenant University’s Business Management Department; Abidemi Junaid, Director & Lead, Creative Domain at Kantar; Toruka Osadunkwu, Director at Marketing Heritage Ltd; and Zion Rufus, VP, Communications & Events at ADMARP. Together, this blend of global and local expertise reflects ADVAN’s commitment to a rigorous, credible, and forward-looking judging process.

In addition to celebrating outstanding campaigns, ADVAN will honour three exceptional industry leaders whose contributions have left an indelible mark on business and leadership. Olusegun Alebiosu, Managing Director and CEO of First Bank of Nigeria, and Girish Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria and Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria will be recognised for their remarkable achievements, visionary leadership, and sustained commitment to excellence within their respective sectors.