C-suite PR Executives to watch in 2024

By Ibidunni Banjoko

As businesses gear up for substantial growth in 2024, a spotlight is cast on exceptional C-suite executives whose strategic prowess and leadership acumen are set to make waves in the new year. These visionaries are poised to navigate their organizations through innovation, resilience, and the ever-evolving dynamics of the market, showcasing the diverse and dynamic nature of leadership in 2024.

With a keen eye on the future, these leaders are expected to drive success and shape the business landscape in 2024. Their strategic acumen and leadership style will be instrumental in overcoming challenges and capitalizing on opportunities that arise in the unfolding year.

As the year unfolds, keep a watchful eye on these leaders who are set to showcase the diversity and dynamism of leadership across various industries. Their ability to steer organizations through challenges and capitalize on opportunities will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the business landscape in 2024.

Mohammed Idris Malagi

Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi serves as the Nigeria Minister of Information, a top PR expert, and a media owner. He is the Chairman and Lead Consultant of BIFOCAL COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED, one of Nigeria’s leading Public Relations companies. With over 30 years of visionary leadership, he has led the team in providing communication solutions to clients in the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy. Alhaji Malagi’s contributions extend to national projects promoting education and nomadic education, showcasing his commitment to societal development.

Yomi Badejo-Okusanya

Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, fondly known as YBO, is a consummate Public Relations practitioner with over 30 years of experience covering advertising and marketing. As the Lead Partner of CMC Connect LLP (Perception Consulting), he pioneered the practice of perception management in Nigeria. His extensive experience in corporate communications, government relations, marketing public relations, and crisis management has made him a key player in the industry. YBO’s accolades include prestigious awards such as the Public Relations Golden Eagle Award, Bob Ogbuagu Leadership Award, and recognition in various PR and marketing associations.

Tokunboh George-Taylor

Tokunboh George-Taylor is an accomplished Communications Leader with over 30 years of experience creating, managing, and sustaining communication programs. She is the Founder and CEO of Skot Communications, contributing significantly to the corporate services and communications divisions at Oando Plc before establishing her company. Tokunboh’s expertise spans executive development, internal and external communications, advocacy, strategic guidance, stakeholder engagement, and campaign development across diverse sectors.

Israel Jaiye Opayemi

Israel Jaiye Opayemi, the MD/Chief Strategist at Chain Reactions Nigeria, brings a wealth of experience from various roles, including Chief Press Secretary and Special Assistant on Public Affairs in the Governor’s Office. With a career spanning 26 years, Opayemi is recognized for his strategic communication skills. He has played key roles in facilitating strategic communications guidelines for federal ministries and has served as a Consulting Lead to high-profile clients such as Facebook, HP, Spotify, and more.

Raheem Olabode

Raheem Olabode, currently the Executive Director at CMC Connect (Perception Managers) and Treasurer of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), is an astute communications strategist. His extensive experience across diverse industries, including Financial Services, Infrastructure, and Healthcare, showcases his versatility. Raheem has been involved in various high-profile projects throughout his 20-year career, making him a valuable asset in the PR landscape.

Nkechi Ali-Balogun

Nkechi Ali-Balogun, the Principal Consultant/CEO of NECCI Limited, is a seasoned industry veteran with over 20 years of experience in both client and service-side roles in Public Relations and Training consultancy. Holding leadership positions in corporate affairs for banks like NEXIM and Equitorial Trust Bank, Nkechi has demonstrated exceptional strategic and creative abilities. Her academic background, including a master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, and her involvement in professional associations underscore her commitment to the field.

Dr. Ike Neliaku

Dr. Ike Neliaku, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), brings over 20 years of experience in the federal public service, holding key positions in Federal Ministries and The Presidency. His extensive involvement in sustainable development, negotiations, and cultural relations positions him as a distinguished leader in the PR landscape. As a Fellow of NIPR and other esteemed associations, Dr. Neliaku’s contributions have earned him several awards, reflecting his commitment to professional integrity and development.

John Ehiguese

John Ehiguese, the Founder and Managing Director of Mediacraft Associates, leads a full-service Public Relations and Integrated Brand Communications consultancy firm. With a passion for PR and strategic communication, he has grown Mediacraft Associates into one of Nigeria’s leading PR consultancy firms. John’s dedication to building better understanding, strong stakeholder relationships, and wholesome reputations for brands and corporate organizations is evident in his work.

Bolaji Abimbola

Bolaji Abimbola, Managing Director of Integrated Indigo Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading integrated communication firms.

He is a practitioner of excellence who has mastered the craft of brand reputation management having handled integrated communications for several brands in various sectors of the Nigerian economy.

In his present role as Managing Director, Integrated Indigo Limited, Abimbola leads a team of young, vibrant integrated marketing communication professionals, handling a portfolio of corporate brands including Nigerian Breweries Plc, Zola Electric, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited – promoters of the Lekki Deep Sea Port, amongst others.

Comfort Obot Nwankwo

Comfort Obot Nwankwo is currently the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Lagos State Chapter and Managing Director /CEO of Cicom International Limited, she has over two decades experience In Public Relations with polyvalent training in business Communications, strategic brand projection, reputation and Human resource Management. A focused and result oriented person.

She is also a seasoned sport administrator and member of the Nigerian Olympic Committee and the International Sport for All Association, TAFISA.

Ayodeji Rasaq

Ayodeji Razaq is a Marketing Communications Specialist with over 15 years of experience in creating customized experiential solutions for brands across the FMCG, Technology, Manufacturing, and Financial Services industries.

He is the CEO of RED for Africa Group, a communication firm that uses storytelling to solve problems, change narratives, and build movements for companies, investors, changemakers, and governments. The subsidiaries within the group include Red Media Africa, StateCraft, The Future Project, and Red Production. Ayodeji is also the Co-Founder of X-Holdings Group, a group of companies that includes Riquesa {a leading experiential & activation company with operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK}, Duo Agency {a digital solutions outfit} and SBX Media {a content production Unit).

He also had a stint at BrandLife Limited as the Activation/New Media Executive where he was responsible for creating Digital Go-to-Market strategies for clients, who were increasingly looking to leverage digital solutions, to increase market share; and Buyology Company Limited, whereas Digital Media Marketing Manager, he created digital frameworks across different channels, which helped the company grow its social media presence at a 30% month-on-month rate. At BlackBerry Nigeria, he worked as a Youth Marketing Executive and was part of the core team that oversaw the massive adoption of the brand across Nigeria and other key markets in West Africa.

Ayodeji is an alumnus of the University of Lagos and a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK (CIM) and the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN). In recognition of his outstanding academic and professional standing, as well as his demonstrated commitment to creating, maintaining, and promoting a high standard of management consulting practice, ethics competence, and client service, he was awarded Fellow by the Board of Trustees and the Managing Council of the Institute of Management Consultants.

Omawunmi Ogbe – GLG communications

Omawumi Ogbe is a PR and reputation management leader with over 12 years of experience in the media and communication industry. She is the managing partner at GLG Communications, a leading PR and reputation management firm that serves global brands out of Lagos, Nigeria. She has a proven track record of delivering innovative and impactful PR campaigns that help clients get seen, heard, and loved by their target audiences.

Omawumi is a trained journalist, a TEDx speaker, and an experienced trainer. She holds a postgraduate degree in Media and Communication from Pan-Atlantic University. She is passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their goals through coaching, mentoring, and speaking.

Her leadership skills have led her to win several awards, including the MARKETING EDGE Outstanding PR Personality Award in 2023.

She is the first female president of the Life Coaches Association of Nigeria (LCAN) and has received multiple awards and recognitions for her contributions to the media and coaching industry. Some awards include the 2019 Coaching Icon Award, the 2022 Leading Ladies Africa 100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria, and the 2022 class of 40 under 40 Most Influential People of African Descent by MIPAD.

Charles Edosomwan

Charles Edosowan is a certified computer engineer and digital marketer. He has a budding desire to improve PR practice and its reputation in Nigeria. To fulfill this desire, he founded TEKSIGHT Edge in 2014. Teksight is an Integrated PR and Digital Communications agency based in Lagos, Nigeria. Teksight has a special interest in tech and public relations.

With a passion for technology sparked by his curiosity and quest for knowledge, he pursued a degree in computer engineering at Covenant University before graduating with a certification in public relations and crisis management from the London School of Public Relations in 2014. He graduated from the Dublin-based Digital Marketing Institute with a professional diploma in Digital Marketing, Digital Communication, and Media/Multimedia in the same year.

Being an expert in the digital economy and e-commerce field, he holds an executive MBA in strategy and management from the Accra Business School and a certificate from China’s Alibaba University. Charles worked for prominent brands for brief periods before establishing Teksight. He made effective use of his subject-matter expertise in these companies amongst which include Bluebird Communications Limited, etranzact Limited, and Digi Engage Nigeria Limited.

As an exceptional public relations professional, his company uses technology and creativity to improve people’s lives. Through in-depth research and technology, the company is changing the public relations space, which also includes reputation management, media relations, and social media marketing.

His rise in the PR industry is worthy of note, having discovered a severe lack within the system of practice of PR in Nigeria and choosing a modus operandi to chart a new course for PR. He was able to achieve this by assembling a young team of optimistic and vibrant young people who share similar brand vision and have a knack for delivering value in their various departments. Charles has put in place a system where clients give a vivid picture of their needs and values, then come up with ideas that would get the client’s desired results in record time through technological research.

His passion also led him to found the London school of Public Relations, Nigeria. Where people in the country can be trained and exposed to an international insight of the industry.

Charles was listed among the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 CEOs bringing new meaning to PR in Nigeria, thereby, helping to change the African business narrative.

Life being all about leaving one’s footprints in the sands of time, he has a strong desire to leave a positive lasting impression in the lives of his employees and clients alike. This he has begun by influencing his field of expertise through TEKSIGHT thereby awakening a new dawn in PR.

These PR trailblazers, with their diverse experiences and unwavering commitment to excellence, are paving the way for a new era in communications. In 2024, their visionary leadership is set to influence the industry’s trajectory and redefine the standards of PR practice.