ADVAN aligns growth agenda with CMO Forum’s blueprint, reaffirms Academy, NMDT plans

ADVAN CEO, Ediri Ose-Edinle and ADVAN President Osamede Uwubanmwen

By Felicia Nwosu

The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) is reinforcing its commitment to advancing the nation’s marketing and advertising profession by embracing key recommendations from Olufemi Williams, Founder and Chief Enabling Officer of Newwaves Ecosystem Ltd. and former Group Managing Director of Chams Plc.

Speaking at the ADVAN CMO Forum, Williams urged the industry to prioritize growth as its mandate, governance as its shield, and generative AI as its accelerator.

He challenged the association to establish a learning structure that would equip marketers with the competence to move from being perceived as cost centers to being recognized as value drivers and leaders in organizational growth.

Uwubanmwen Confirms ADVAN’s Response

In direct response, ADVAN President Osamede Uwubanmwen confirmed that the association is advancing plans to create a structured academy dedicated to continuous professional development.

Ose-Edinle Highlights Existing Progress

Adding further perspective, ADVAN CEO, Ediri Ose-Edinle, highlighted that the association has already taken tangible steps in this direction with the unveiling of the Nigerian Marketing Development Team (NMDT) two years ago.

She explained that the NMDT, a group of respected professionals from both academia and practice, was inaugurated to drive industry transformation and reflects the very kind of initiative Williams recommended.

By referencing the NMDT, she affirmed that ADVAN had laid the groundwork for skill development, AI literacy, and stronger governance frameworks even before the latest propositions.

ADVAN Signals Determination

With the proposed academy and the existing NMDT structure, ADVAN is signaling its determination to empower Nigerian marketers with the tools, influence, and innovation needed to steer the profession toward greater relevance and impact in today’s economy.