The Women in Out-of-Home Advertising Nigeria (WOHAN) marked International Women’s Day with a landmark two-in-one event that celebrated the contributions of female professionals in Nigeria’s Out-of-Home advertising industry, recognised the men who have championed their progress, swore in a new executive team and hosted a substantive conversation about the future of women’s leadership in the sector.

The well-attended event, held at the Marriott Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, was themed “Give to Gain, Empower Her, Elevate Her” a rallying call that echoed the commitment and resilience of women who have built careers in one of Nigeria’s most dynamic advertising segments. The occasion combined the ceremony of formal swearing-in of WOHAN’s new executive officers with an awards presentation recognising trailblazers who laid the groundwork for women in the space today.

Speaking at the event, Adeola Odesanya, Chairperson of WOHAN, anchored her remarks in the collective spirit that defines the association’s mission. She noted that the initiative was birthed from a recognition of the vital role women play in the Out-of-Home sector and that the journey has always been about shared progress rather than individual achievement. “Each billboard we design, each flex we fly, each campaign we execute and each space we occupy is a testament to our strength, our vision and our determination to be seen and be heard,” she said.

Odesanya was equally candid about the work that remains. “We must also acknowledge that there are still ceilings to break, voices to amplify and opportunities to create for the next generation of women who will follow in our footsteps. That is why associations like WOHAN are so important. They provide a platform for connection, mentorship and empowerment,” she said. She closed by affirming the value of every woman in the room. “Your presence matters. Your contributions are valued. Your potential is limitless. Let us continue to support one another, lift one another and champion one another not just today but every day,” she urged.

The keynote address was delivered by Tolulope Medebem, President Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), whose speech set the intellectual and inspirational tone for the entire event. Medebem opened by challenging the popular framing of women’s advancement as a trend, arguing instead that it is a long overdue correction. “The rise of the woman professional is not a trend. It is a correction,” she declared. “Women have always been part of the story of this industry. We have built brands, shaped consumer engagement and driven execution. What is changing now is not capability. It is visibility, voice and influence.”

She identified two trends that she said stand out from her vantage point in experiential marketing and industry leadership. The first is that competence is speaking louder than bias. “Women are not just participating. We are delivering measurable impact,” she said. The second is that women are moving from execution to influence, occupying more decision-making and strategy roles than at any previous point in the industry’s history. She also challenged women to stop waiting for the perfect moment. “Too often, women decline opportunities because we think we are not ready yet. But if we keep waiting to be ready, we may keep waiting forever. Sometimes we must step forward shaky, yes, afraid, yes, but we must step forward,” she said.

Medebem closed with a call for intentional collaboration as the defining engine of the next phase of women’s growth in the industry. Drawing on the African proverb she described as one of the most important lessons for this moment, she said, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” She left the room with one final question to sit with. “What role will I play in lifting another woman this year? Because ultimately, the strength of our industry will not just be defined by how far we rise individually but by how intentionally we lift others along the way. When women rise, and rise together, industries do not just change. They evolve.”

Emmanuel Ajufo, former President Out-of-Home Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), used his goodwill message to commend WOHAN’s achievements since its establishment. He recalled that towards the end of 2022 it became clear from the voices and experiences of women within the industry that there was a pressing need to create a dedicated platform within OAAN for women to address their unique challenges and aspirations. “In just three years, you have established a solid and functional structure, invested in capacity building for women and extended your impact through meaningful CSR initiatives. These are commendable achievements and I am immensely proud of all you have accomplished,” he said.

Shola Akinsiku, President of OAAN, also added his voice to the celebration, reflecting on the evolution of an industry that has been significantly shaped by the contributions of women leaders. He acknowledged the foundation laid by those who came before, celebrating over five decades of progress in the sector and affirming that the challenges faced by women along the way have ultimately become the engine driving the industry’s current strength and momentum.

The event also featured a panel discussion that brought together some of the industry’s most senior female voices. The session was anchored by Seyi Layade, Chairperson of Women in Advertising, and featured Brenda Nwagwu, Vice President of MIPAN; Tope Runsewe, Chief Executive Officer of Huperniq Media; and Abimbola Ijanniyi, Business Head at JCDecaux. The discussion examined practical pathways for advancing women’s leadership across the Out-of-Home and broader marketing communications industry.

The event also marked the formal swearing-in of WOHAN’s new executive team. The officers sworn in are Adeola Odesanya as Chairperson, Opeyemi Anipole as Assistant Chairperson, Omoyele Oguntunde as Publicity and Media Officer, Chika Arinze as Treasurer, Nkiru Ike as Finance Secretary, Nnaji Judith as Assistant Secretary, Sophie Arasindu as Welfare Officer and Onyinye Igbo as Secretary.

The event also included a special awards presentation recognising individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of women in the Out-of-Home advertising industry. Emmanuel Ajufo received the Founders Award in recognition of his role in establishing the platform that gave birth to WOHAN, while Shola Akinsiku was presented with the Patron Award for his continued support and advocacy for women in the sector. The Matron Award went to Bunmi Oke, Chief Executive Officer of Ladybird Advertising, in recognition of her decades of industry leadership and her commitment to mentoring the next generation of female advertising professionals.