The Balmoral Event Hall, Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, sparkled on Friday, September 26, 2025. The Nigerian marketing and brand communications industry converged there for the prestigious Edge Awards. Marketing Edge Magazine organized the event.

One of the evening’s most celebrated moments was the announcement of Ikechukwu Agu (IK Agu), Commercial Director of Pernod Ricard Nigeria, as the Commercial Director of the Year 2025.

IK has spent over 15 years excelling in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry. Consequently, he established himself as a transformative leader. He boasts a strong track record in revenue growth, innovation, and brand-building. At Pernod Ricard Nigeria, he has driven the growth of household names. These include Martell, Jameson, Absolut, Imperial Blue, and Olmeca. Each is now a market leader under his watch.

Speaking shortly after he received the award, IK dedicated the honour to his team: “This award is not just a personal achievement. Rather, it is a testament to the collective effort of my incredible team at Pernod Ricard. It also recognizes the partners who share our vision for growth and innovation. I am deeply honoured by this recognition from Marketing Edge. Therefore, it inspires me to continue pushing boundaries, developing people, and creating value for our consumers and the industry at large.”

Explaining why the jury selected IK, Mr. John Ajayi, CEO of Marketing Edge Magazine, noted that the choice was unanimous. The clear alignment between IK’s career achievements and the award’s criteria drove this decision.

“Our jury carefully evaluates nominees based on measurable impact in revenue generation, brand growth, innovation, and people development. Ikechukwu Agu stood out not just for delivering impressive commercial results. Moreover, he was praised for his ability to launch and grow premium brands, inspire teams, and drive innovation in highly competitive markets.”

Ajayi added that IK’s recognition further highlights the critical role of strong commercial leadership in shaping the future of Nigeria’s FMCG and beverage industries.

With this award, IK further reinforced his influence as one of the leading commercial minds in Nigeria. Thus, the Edge Awards once again affirmed their place as the country’s premier stage for recognising marketing and business excellence.