Maureen Ifada honoured with Leadership Award in Marketing at EDGE Awards 2026

By Mofeoluwa Awe

Marketing Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, Maureen Ifada, has been honoured with the Leadership Award in Marketing at the 2026 EDGE Awards, adding another major recognition to her distinguished career in marketing and brand management.

Ifada received the award at the 14th edition of the EDGE Awards, organised by MARKETING EDGE, on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Ten Degrees Event Hall, Billings Way, Oregun, Lagos. The ceremony, themed “Celebrating Excellence Beyond Borders,” brought together leading professionals, brands, agencies and business leaders in Nigeria’s marketing communications industry.

The recognition comes shortly after another significant milestone in her career. In August, she was unveiled in Lagos as one of three African marketing and brand leaders selected for the Africa 2 Class of Black At’s 2027 DARE Awards, alongside Mabel Adeteye of Wema Bank and Amaechi Okobi of Access Bank.

This latest recognition comes after more than two decades of contribution to the FMCG and marketing sector. She joined FrieslandCampina WAMCO in 2003 as a Management Trainee in the Consumer Marketing Department and has risen through several strategic roles to become Marketing Director.

Read also

Her influence has also extended to the international marketing community. In 2026, she served on judging panels for the SABRE Awards EMEA, Native Advertising Awards and International ECHO Awards.
The honour follows several other recognitions. In 2025, she was named Marketing Director of the Year at the Brand Handlers Awards and received the Outstanding Marketing Amazon of the Year award at the EDGE Awards. She was also recognised as Nigeria Marketing Amazon at the Nigeria Marketing Awards and has twice featured among WIMCA’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Marketing and Communications.

Speaking at the ceremony, Amos Oladele, Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of MARKETING EDGE, said the awards recognise professionals and organisations that challenge convention, embrace new ideas and demonstrate exceptional performance.

For Ifada, the latest honour further underscores a career built around brand leadership, innovation and professional excellence.

About Author

Mofeoluwa Awe

Mofeoluwa Awe is a research-driven content writer and digital strategist with a B.Sc. in Mass Communication from Covenant University. She crafts clear, compelling narratives across news, tech, finance, and marketing.
Trained as a Digital Strategist at 02 Academy Lagos, she blends strategic thinking with a user-centric approach shaped by her background in UI/UX design. Her work sits at the intersection of storytelling and strategy, helping brands connect meaningfully and grow with intention.