Marketing leaders set for Brand Handlers Summit 2.0 as Olagundoye, Uwadoka headline event

Michael Olumide

Preparations have reached an advanced stage for the second edition of the Brand Handlers Summit & Awards, as Marketing Space magazine has unveiled a lineup of high-profile industry leaders to headline the 2026 event in Lagos.

The organisers announced Managing Director of Outori Limited, Mr. Wole Olagundoye, and Head of Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka, as keynote speakers for the summit.

The event, themed “Marketing the New Africa: Driving Growth Through Innovation, Culture, and Youth Influence,” is scheduled to hold on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Sheba Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.

Olagundoye is set to headline the first session of the summit, where he will deliver a keynote address on the sub-theme, “Winning the African Consumer: Bridging Corporate Strategy with Youth Culture.” His presentation is expected to focus on strategies for effectively engaging Africa’s youthful population while aligning brand messaging with corporate goals in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

In the second session, Uwadoka will take the stage to deliver a keynote address on “Scaling African Brands: Leveraging Data, AI, and Innovation for Continental Impact.” She will provide insights into how brands across the continent can utilise data analytics, artificial intelligence, and innovative approaches to expand market reach and strengthen competitiveness.

Beyond the keynote addresses, the summit will feature robust panel discussions involving leading professionals across the marketing communications ecosystem.

Panelists for the first session include Managing Director of Red Media Africa, Ayodeji Razaq; Head of Corporate Communications at Nigerian Breweries Plc, Ayodele Alabi; Chief Executive Officer of Lemonlime, Abiola Yahaya; Head of Category for RTS Brands at Guinness Nigeria, Oluwaponmile Alabi; and Public and Media Relations Manager at Moniepoint Inc, Bemigho Awala.

The session will be moderated by the Director of Research, Policy and Programmes, Caritas Communications, Adedayo Odulaja.

The second panel session will feature Head of Marketing and Communications at Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Bridget Oyefeso-Odusami; Chief Experience Officer at MPXM Agency, Nana Milagrosa Utomi; Chief Operating Officer at Leo Burnett Lagos, Oluwaseyi Layade; Product and Growth Marketer; Oluwanisola Eludoyin; and Business Unit Director at mediaReach OMD, Emmanuel Adediran.

Also, Senior Brand and Content Strategist at Livespot360 Agency, Zion Rufus, will serve as moderator.

The event will be chaired by the Group Chief Executive Officer, Oracle Experience, Dr. Felix King Eiremiokhae, adding further industry weight to the gathering.

Speaking ahead of the summit, the Convener and Publisher of Marketing Space, Mr..lukman Ishau, described the event as a premier thought-leadership platform aimed at bringing together stakeholders across the marketing communications value chain in Nigeria.

According to him, this year’s edition has been carefully curated to feature top-tier professionals who will provide deep industry insights, practical knowledge, and forward-looking perspectives on the future of marketing in Africa.

He added that the summit also serves as a credible platform for recognising excellence and inspiring innovation among agencies, brands, and professionals operating within the Nigerian marketing landscape.

The event will culminate in the Brand Handlers Awards ceremony scheduled for 5:00 p.m., where outstanding individuals and organisations will be honoured for their significant contributions to the growth and development of the marketing communications industry in Nigeria.