Baba Awopetu leads MARKETING EDGE 2025 National Marketing Stakeholders’ Summit, Alongside Other Industry Icons

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

MARKETING EDGE 2025 National Marketing Stakeholders’ Summit, a gathering of icons, mavericks, and market leaders, is billed to hold on September 25, 2025.

The much anticipated yearly industry conversation is bringing together industry intellectuals, sharpest minds and boldest voices from across the marketing, creative, technology, and business landscapes locally and globally.

With the theme, “AI Integration: Leveraging New Technologies to Achieve Business Objectives,” the summit is set to ignite powerful conversations around the future of marketing in a world being rapidly shaped by artificial intelligence, evolving consumer behaviors, and cultural transformation.

But this is not just another industry event.

This is where the future meets its architects, a stage for those who are not just adapting to change, but defining it and turning moments into momentum in all fields of endeavours.

When excellence calls, only the best responds.

Speaking on the virtual event, Publisher/CEO of MARKETING EDGE Publications, Mr John Ajayi said this year’s event is going to further alter industry paradigms in line with unfolding contemporary global happenings within and without the Marketing and advertising eco- systems.

His words: “This year’s MARKETING EDGE National Marketing Stakeholders’ Summit is not just another industry gathering but a powerhouse convergence of thought leaders, brand architects, and creative disruptors who are actively redefining the future of marketing, technology, and cultural engagement across Africa and beyond.”

“We are excited to play host to these galaxy of well selected industry giants and titans who are going to reconfirm,assure and provide insights on tomorrow’s market today – vis- a- vis the paradigms that are redefining our businness practices and models,” Ajayi noted.

Unlocking the Summit — A Voice to Set the Tone

Opening this landmark gathering is a voice seasoned by strategy and sharpened by impact: Baba Awopetu, Lead Strategy Consultant at Stragmar, UK.

Known for turning market complexity into clarity, Baba has led transformation across global sectors and organizations.

As the Lead Speaker, his address will lay the groundwork for a day of unfiltered insight, fearless ideas, and paradigm-shifting discussion.

MODERATORS — Guiding the Energy

The tone of the conversation matters just as much as the content.

That is why the summit will be anchored by two formidable moderators whose reputations precede them: Ozoemena “Ozone” Mbanefo

He is a Creative strategist, and a cultural curator. As an industry mentor, Ozone’s name echoes through the halls of Nigerian advertising as one of the most respected voices of his generation.

As moderator, he brings not just poise, but perspective, thereby ensuring every session is layered with depth, clarity, and creativity.

Peter Osarimen Ukhurebor

Analytical, articulate, and always ahead of the curve, Peter joins Ozone to help distill the brilliance of each conversation into actionable insight. Together, they promise a dialogue that is as dynamic as it is visionary.

PANELISTS — The Icons and Game Changers

This year’s panel is an ensemble of cross-industry powerhouses which is a rare convergence of thinkers, doers, and storytellers whose work is already shaping the future:

Dr. Omotola Bamigbaiye‑Elatuyi

With over two decades of experience building brands and leading strategic innovation, Dr. Omotola brings an unmatched blend of intelligence and intuition.

Her voice will help unpack how marketers can build purpose-driven strategies in AI-enabled environments.

Dr. Bada Akintunde‑Johnson Country Manager, Paramount Africa

A force in media and entertainment, Dr. Bada has redefined the art of content marketing across Africa.

Expect a compelling lens into how brands can connect with audiences through culture-first, data-informed storytelling.

Preetesh Sewraj

Known for his future-forward thinking, Preetesh is the marketing futurist every boardroom listens to. His insights will push boundaries, challenging attendees to reimagine everything from consumer engagement to product innovation.

Sam Onyemelukwe

A master of brand-building and digital ecosystems, Sam understands the interplay between creativity, tech, and culture.

He will share fresh perspectives on how African brands can scale with authenticity and tech agility.

Dare Art Alade

He is a creative polymath whose work across music, media, and entrepreneurship has left a cultural imprint.

Dare’s contribution will explore how emotional storytelling and artistry remain core to brand loyalty even in an AI-driven age.

Osato Evbuomwan

She is a strategic thinker deeply in tune with Gen Z and millennial markets. Osato’s voice will bring a pulse-check on what modern audiences demand and how brands can evolve to meet them.

Femi Odugbemi

A revered filmmaker and cultural custodian, Femi has spent decades preserving Africa’s stories through film and visual media.

His presence will ground the summit in the truth that culture is not a trend

it is the terrain.

Remi Ogunpitan

With a four-decade legacy in broadcast and content production, Ogunpitan brings wisdom that can only be earned.

His reflections will help marketers understand how to balance innovation with legacy, tech with tradition.

Obi Asika Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC)

For over 30 years, Asika has been a champion of Nigeria’s creative industries.

His leadership reminds us that marketing is not just about products—it’s about identity, culture, and the power of collective storytelling.

THE JOURNEY — What’s at Stake?

This year’s summit is not just about the what but the why and how.

In a world where AI is disrupting every industry, the question is no longer if we should integrate it, but how to do so with intentionality, humanity, and measurable impact.

Key thematic pillars include:

AI as a Business Driver

Exploring how companies can integrate artificial intelligence not just for automation, but for innovation, differentiation, and sustainable growth.

The Rise of New Creator Value

Who are the new creatives? What value do they bring? And how should marketing teams evolve to work alongside them in this next era?

Conception & Ideation in a Post-Traditional World

From brainstorming in boardrooms to co-creating in digital labs, the rules of ideation are changing. This panel will dive into how innovation is being redefined.

Cultural Storytelling Meets Data Science

As technology advances, so must our ability to tell stories that resonate. This conversation will examine how to strike the balance between emotional resonance and machine-powered precision.

MARKETING EDGE 2025 is where strategy meets soul, where algorithms meet emotion, and where leaders meet legacies. It is a rare chance to engage with icons and ideators who are moving markets, shaping culture, and engineering the next frontier of brand growth.

And on September 25, 2025, the room will be filled with those who are ready to set the tone for the next decade of marketing in Africaand beyond.

Will you be there?