MARKETING EDGE Magazine, the award-winning marketing publication, has named Girish Sharma, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc, as the Keynote Speaker of its 2025 National Marketing Stakeholders Summit.

The Guinness boss will lead an impressive lineup of industry intellectuals and thought leaders who will unravel the theme of this year’s gathering.

Summit Theme and Schedule

The summit, with the main theme “AI Integration: Leveraging New Technologies to Achieve Business Objectives,” will take place virtually on Thursday, 25 September 2025.

Following the summit, the EDGE Awards will hold on Friday, 26 September 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Sheraton, Ikeja, Lagos. The awards ceremony will focus on the theme “Excellence Beyond Borders.”

Sharma’s Keynote and Sub-Themes

Mr. Sharma will deliver his keynote address on the main theme, while the sub-theme “New Creator Value: A Re-assessment of Traditional Creative Industry” will complement the discussions.

Leadership at Guinness Nigeria

Since assuming leadership of Guinness Nigeria in October 2024, Sharma has championed a bold transformation agenda.

He stabilized business fundamentals, revitalized commercial execution, and reignited growth in one of Africa’s most dynamic consumer markets.

Under his stewardship, Guinness Nigeria regained financial momentum and strengthened its leadership in the FMCG industry, showing strategic clarity and operational discipline.

Focus of the Summit

The summit will explore how stakeholders can build proactive businesses that leverage artificial intelligence and technology-driven innovation to achieve sustained growth.

Discussions will cover the tangible benefits of AI-driven digital transformation for businesses and other critical insights.

Global Participation

Organizers expect more than ten thousand virtual participants from the global marketing ecosystem, FMCG, manufacturing, real estate, maritime, academia, and government institutions.

Sharma’s Professional Journey

Sharma brings commercial acumen, entrepreneurial drive, and cultural fluency to his leadership roles.

Widely respected for building high-performance organizations, he has scaled iconic brands in complex, high-growth emerging markets.

Before joining Guinness Nigeria, he served as CEO of the Colgate-Palmolive Tolaram joint venture in West Africa, where he achieved a 70% compound annual growth rate in top-line revenue over five years.

He built a scalable, agile model that blended global practices with local insights, earning recognition as a transformative leader in the personal care sector.

Advocacy Beyond Business

Beyond corporate leadership, Sharma advocates inclusive leadership, mentorship, and human capital development.

He actively mentors young African business leaders and contributes thought leadership on innovation, ethical leadership, and business resilience.

Known for balancing performance with purpose, he also invests in consumer tech, fintech, and impact-driven ventures.

Other Distinguished Speakers

Other seasoned marketing professionals will feature as panelists, including:

• Mr. Baba Awopetu, Consultant, Strategy/Marketing, Stragmar, London
• Dr. Tola Bamigbaye Elatuyi, CEO, Society for Corporate Governance in Nigeria
• Mr. Preetesh Sewraj, CEO, Loeries
• Mr. Osato-Evbuomwan, Marketing Director, Moet Hennessy Nigeria Ltd

Mr. Ozone Mbanefo, Founder and Provost of 02 Academy Nigeria, will moderate the session.

Publisher’s Remarks

Convener of the summit, Mr. John Ajayi, Publisher and CEO of MARKETING EDGE Publications, described the summit and EDGE Awards as landmark yearly events.

He expressed excitement about Sharma leading this year’s conversation, citing his vast contributions to knowledge growth and capacity building in the industry.

Ajayi stated, “We are thrilled to have Mr. Girish Sharma, with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience across the FMCG landscape, as our keynote speaker. We are confident that he will share his expertise and inspire our audience.”

Legacy of the Summit

Now in its 13th edition, the MARKETING EDGE National Marketing Stakeholders Summit has become a reference point for industry leaders and policymakers, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other political figures.

Ajayi emphasized that this year’s theme will spotlight how AI accelerates business innovation, empowers the workforce, and enhances efficiency.

He added that keynote speakers and panelists will provide deep market insights to show how AI integration can streamline operations and drive growth.

Second Session of the Summit

The second session, themed “New Creator Value: A Reassessment of Traditional Creative Industry,” will feature Mr. Obi Asika, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, as keynote speaker.

He will be joined by industry heavyweights such as:

• Dr. Akintunde-Johnson Bada, Country Manager, Paramount Africa
• Mr. Femi Odugbemi, Founder/Executive Producer, Zuri 24 Media
• Mr. Remi Ogunpitan, Founder, IBST Ltd
• Mr. Samuel Onyemelukwe, Group Business Development Director, Trace West Africa
• Mr. Dare Art Alade, CEO, Liverpool 360

Mr. Peter Osarimen Ukhurebor, Founder and CEO of Black At (USA), will moderate this session.

Obi Asika’s Role in the Creative Industry

Asika, with over 30 years of experience, has driven growth in Nigeria’s creative industries.

Before entering public service, he convened the Omniverse, a collaboration platform backed by the tech ecosystem that elevated Nigeria’s storytelling power globally.

He previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Media in 2015 and contributed to more than 15 Federal Government committees across various administrations.

 

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