O2 Academy Lagos, Nigeria’s premier advertising school concluded another successful cohort Saturday 2nd of May 2026, with pitch presentations that challenged over 42 students to solve Nigeria’s transportation crisis through strategic marketing.

The pitch tasked four teams; Alpha, Bravo, Delta, and Charlie, with developing comprehensive marketing campaigns for CabOne, an electric car brand positioned to address rising fuel prices and escalating transport fares affecting Nigerian commuters.

The brief reflected current market realities. With petrol prices significantly impacting transportation costs nationwide, students developed strategic demonstrating how electric vehicles could provide practical solutions whilst overcoming adoption barriers including charging infrastructure concerns and initial purchase costs.

Taking their marketing strategy ‘ Big Idea’, from different perspectives, f Team Alpha approached the brief with “TAKE CONTROL,” positioning CabOne as empowerment tool for transportation independence. On the other hand, Team Delta adopted “RIDE LIKE AN OGA,” emphasising aspirational status.  In another development, Team Bravo chose “BYPASS THE PUMP,” directly addressing fuel prices points, whilst Team Charlie selected “SAY NO TO A BUMPY LIFE,” focusing on emotional resonance.

The Pitch featured three accomplished professionals  as judges for  presentations. Ayokunle Idowu, Brand Strategist at StarTimes, brought strategic brand positioning expertise. Misturah Abisola Owolabi, Cannes Lion-winning creative and founder of Misty Glam Company and an O2 Academy alumni from 2017-2018, assessed creative excellence. Meanwhile, Godfrey Adejumoh, Head of Corporate Relations for Diageo West and Central Africa with over 15 years experience and author of “Winning with Strategic Communications,” evaluated strategic communications depth.

The judges provided constructive feedback commending students’ outstanding work whilst highlighting potential for meaningful industry impact. They emphasised effective time management, clear strategy documentation, and creative excellence as core elements  and required criteria for  successful campaigns.

Following deliberations, Team Alpha emerged overall winner, claiming Best Big Idea, Best Tactics, Best Presentation, and Pitch Winner awards. Team Charlie secured Best TVC for compelling audiovisual storytelling. Team Delta won Best Print, demonstrating effective visual communication.

The pitch presentation reinforces O2 Academy’s reputation as talent pipeline for Nigeria’s advertising industry. Founded by Ozoemena Mbanefo over 15 years ago, the academy maintains certification from Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN).

The institution’s mission extends beyond technical knowledge toward nurturing thinkers, problem solvers, and strategists contributing to Nigeria’s creative economy. Through partnerships with industry experts, brands, and agencies, O2 Academy connects students with real-world practice, ensuring graduates leave with practical experience alongside certification.

The graduating class joins growing community of O2 Academy alumni including Cannes Lion winners, agency founders and leaders, and brand strategists demonstrating the academy’s transformative impact on career trajectories across Nigeria’s integrated marketing communications landscape.

The partnership with MARKETING EDGE strengthens the academy’s commitment to elevating advertising education standards whilst providing platforms,  where emerging talents showcase capabilities developed through rigorous training programmes, covering strategy, creative development, media planning, and campaign execution.

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