Women in Marketing Africa (WiM Africa), in partnership with Women in Advertising (WIA-AAAN), will bring its Real Talk Debate Series to Lagos this November. The event will convene senior leaders from Nigeria’s marketing, advertising, media and creative industries to discuss the country’s creative potential and how it can translate into greater cultural and commercial impact.
Taking place on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, the debate will focus on the theme: “From Creative Ambition to Impact: Is Nigeria Realising Its Creative Potential?”
Nigeria is one of Africa’s most influential creative markets, with its music, film, fashion and culture increasingly shaping global trends. The discussion will examine whether the marketing and advertising industry is fully converting the country’s talent, cultural influence and creative ambition into distinctive, effective and globally recognised work.
The conversation will consider the wider industry ecosystem, including brands, agencies, creative leadership, media, investment and the conditions required for ambitious ideas to thrive.
The event will open with a fireside conversation featuring Steve Babaeko, Founder and Group CEO of X3M Ideas and VP Africa for the International Advertising Association.
The panel is expected to bring together seven senior female leaders from across Nigeria’s marketing and creative industries. Speakers invited to participate include Sarah Agha, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries; Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria; Fiona Uwagwu, MD Special Projects & Chief Digital Officer, First Primus Group (WPP Partner); Esosa Osagiede, Creative Director, Insight Publicis; Doris Ohanugo, Senior Vice President, Media Sales; Brenda Nwagwu, President, MIPAN; and Martha Ugbomma Onyebuchi, Director, Southern Region, ARCON.
Further speakers and programme details will be announced ahead of the event.
Andrea Djan-Krofa, CEO of Women in Marketing Africa, said:
‘“There is no question about the depth of creative talent and cultural influence coming out of Nigeria. What interests us is what happens between that creative ambition and measurable impact. Are we creating the conditions for our best ideas and talent to thrive? Are we being ambitious enough about what Nigerian creativity can achieve — commercially, culturally and globally?
“Real Talk is designed to create space for the conversations our industry needs to have, bringing different perspectives into the same room rather than looking for easy answers. Lagos feels exactly the right place for this conversation.”
Oluwaseyi Layade, Chairperson of Women in Advertising (AAAN), added:
“Nigeria has extraordinary creative energy, but realising its full potential demands collaboration across the entire ecosystem. Brands, agencies, creatives, media owners and industry leaders each have a role to play. This debate offers an opportunity for an open conversation about where we are today, what may be holding us back and, most importantly, what must happen next.”
A pan-African conversation
The Lagos event is part of WiM Africa’s Real Talk Debate Series, which brings senior industry leaders together to discuss issues shaping the future of marketing and creativity across Africa.
Previous editions have explored Gen Z and big brands in Johannesburg, AI in the marketing and creative industries in Accra, and authentic African representation by global brands in Nairobi.
Held in June 2026, the Nairobi edition welcomed more than 100 industry attendees and senior representatives from organisations including Mastercard, NBA Africa, WPP, Belva Digital, Safaricom and Kantar.
The Lagos debate continues WiM Africa’s work to create a platform for Africa’s marketing and creative community to challenge assumptions, exchange perspectives and contribute to conversations shaping the industry across the continent.
Event details
Real Talk Debate Lagos
From Creative Ambition to Impact: Is Nigeria Realising Its Creative Potential?
Date:Tuesday, 3 November 2026
Time: 4pm
Venue: TBC, Lagos
Tickets: https://tix.africa/discover/wimafricarealtalkdebatelagos
The event is presented by Women in Marketing Africa in partnership with Women in Advertising.
