Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital and New Media, Ortega Ogra, has been elected president of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN).
Ogra was elected alongside a new executive council that will lead the association for the 2026-2028 term at ADVAN’s annual general meeting (AGM) held on Thursday in Lagos.
The new executive council comprises Gloria Nwabuike, managing director of AACE Foods Ltd, as first vice-president; Maurice Igugu, chief marketing officer of The Alternative Bank, as second vice-president; Seni Ogunkola, vice-president of brands and marketers at T2 Mobile, as treasurer; and Adeola Amosun, group head of media at Tolaram, as publicity director.
Other members are Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, head of external communications, media and partnerships at Reckitt Nigeria; James Odejimi, head of marketing, PZ (HPZ SBU); Martha Ojei Kayode, head of marketing at PZ Cussons; Omobolanle Osotule, head of brand marketing and communication at Airtel Networks; and Oge Maduakwu, head of marketing and communication at Samsung Electronics West Africa.
The new team succeeds the executive council led by Osamede Uwubanmwen, the immediate past president.
In his acceptance remarks, Ogra thanked members of the association for the confidence placed in the new leadership and pledged to run an inclusive, purposeful, and results-driven administration.
He said the new council would focus on strengthening the value ADVAN delivers to its members, developing the capacity of marketing professionals, deepening collaboration across the advertising and marketing ecosystem, and improving engagement with regulators and other critical stakeholders.
“This is not simply a mandate to occupy office. It is a responsibility to strengthen ADVAN as the leading voice of advertisers and marketing professionals in Nigeria,” Ogra said.
“Our industry is changing rapidly. Technology, artificial intelligence, data, regulation, and shifting consumer behaviour are redefining the work we do. ADVAN must help its members understand these changes, prepare for them, and lead through them.”
Ogra said the new administration would prioritise structured capacity development, executive education, and professional learning for members at different stages of their careers.
He also announced plans to establish an ADVAN Institute of Marketing and Brand Leadership under the proposed ADVAN Business School, which he said would serve as a platform for research, training, professional development, and the documentation of Nigerian marketing knowledge and case studies.
Ogra said the new council would also deepen collaboration among advertisers, agencies, media owners, technology platforms, research organisations, academic institutions, and other participants in the marketing and communications value chain.
Speaking on ADVAN’s relationship with regulatory institutions, including the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Ogra said the association would pursue constructive and principled engagement.
“ADVAN will continue to defend the lawful and legitimate interests of its members. At the same time, we believe that dialogue, consultation, and mutual respect provide the strongest foundations for a stable and progressive industry that contributes immensely to the Nigerian economy,” he said.
“We will work to rebuild trust, reopen channels of institutional engagement, and pursue practical resolutions to outstanding areas of disagreement without compromising the principles for which ADVAN and its members stand.”
Ogra commended the outgoing executive council for its service and acknowledged the contributions of past presidents, the board of trustees, members, the ADVAN chief executive, secretariat, and industry stakeholders to the growth of the association.
He said the new executive council would formally commence its two-year tenure and unveil its strategic priorities and implementation programme after its inaugural meeting.