The 13th EDGE Awards 2025 recognised Akonte Ekine as the Outstanding PR Personality of the Decade, celebrating his sustained excellence in public relations. The honour presents both a milestone in his career and a nod to the growing stature of strategic public relations in Nigeria’s communications industry.

Ekine, long established in Nigeria’s PR and communications realm, thanked peers and supporters shortly after the award and reflected on his early agency days and the gradual evolution of the field. In his message, he recalled starting in DDB as a public relations practitioner, navigating the dynamics of the industry, and building relationships and capabilities that have anchored his professional identity.

EDGE Awards selected Ekine for the decade accolade to celebrate not just his visible achievements but also his consistent influence over time, the campaigns he shaped, the reputations he managed, and the role he played in elevating the standards of public relations practice in Nigeria.

Ekine is the Chief Strategist, Absolute PR, a leading PR firm in Nigeria. He doubles as Chief Executive Officer of Brand Exchange, promoters of Consumer Value Awards (CVA), a platform that enables Nigerian consumers to rate and recognise both private brands and public institutions.

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He has guided the CVA, held successfully for the past four years, to expand its scope for the first time to include government agencies, highlighting the growing demand for transparency and accountability in both public and private sectors.

His recognition comes at a time when brands, government agencies, non-profits, and institutions more than ever depend on PR to manage narratives, crises, and public perception. By winning this award, Ekine joins a select group of communicators whose legacy is measured not only in campaigns but in trust, integrity, and long-term impact.

Commenting on the award ceremony, Mr John Ajayi, Publisher and CEO of Marketing Edge Group, emphasised that EDGE Awards honours professionals who have “dared to dream, overcome obstacles, and made a difference.” Ekine’s body of work fits that narrative, earning him this distinguished recognition.

Looking ahead, Ekine signalled his intention to continue mentoring younger PR practitioners, further pushing the frontiers of reputation management, and working toward stronger industry standards in transparency, measurement, and creativity.

With this award, Akonte Ekine cements his role not only as a practitioner of public relations but also as a steward of its future in Nigeria.