Women in Advertising (WIA), an initiative of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), has taken a bold step in championing health advocacy by successfully launching the “Walk for Her” Breast Cancer Awareness Walk in Lagos.

Held in commemoration of World Cancer Day, the event united the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) industry in a visible stand against breast cancer.

Collaboration Across Advertising Bodies

WIA organized the walk in partnership with key advertising sectoral groups, including the Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), the Media Independents Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), and the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN).

Together, these organizations demonstrated the industry’s resolve to leverage creativity and communication not only for brand building but also for advancing public health.

A Purposeful Route Through Lagos

Participants embarked on a three-hour walk from Ikeja GRA, through Opebi, Oregun, Agidingbi, and concluded at the AAAN Secretariat in Alausa. The route, cutting through major arteries of Ikeja, served as both a literal and symbolic reminder that the fight against breast cancer demands active, inclusive, and sustained engagement.

Direct Community Impact

The walk delivered tangible benefits. It offered free breast cancer screening to 200 participants, hosted expert-led health talks on early detection and care, and facilitated interactive sessions on preventive practices.

By combining advocacy with community service, the initiative highlighted the critical importance of early intervention and the urgency of awareness.

Leadership Speaks on Purpose and Commitment

Oluwaseyi Layade, Chairperson of WIA, described the initiative as deeply personal and purpose-driven. She stressed that breast cancer affects countless women and that early detection is crucial to survival.

Layade emphasized that the walk represented a strategic movement to empower women, normalize conversations around breast cancer, and drive actionable change across communities.

She also expressed gratitude for sector-wide support and reaffirmed WIA’s commitment to sustaining the effort through strategic partnerships, survivor storytelling, and ongoing community outreach.

AAAN Endorses Long-Term Framework

Lanre Adisa, President of AAAN and Chairman of the Heads of Advertising Sectoral Groups (HASG), acknowledged the initiative’s significance.

He commended Layade for convening the walk and called on the IMC industry to embrace its role in shaping healthier communities.

To ensure continuity, he recommended establishing a working committee to develop a long-term framework for collaboration, client engagement, and public education.

Industry Leaders Join the Cause

Other leaders lent their voices to the cause, advocating for a healthier marketing communications industry and a healthier Nigeria. Key figures included Tolulope Medebem, President of EXMAN; Adeola Odesanya, President of WOHAN and Executive Council Member of OAAN; Brenda Nwagwu, Vice President of MIPAN; Onome Odili, Chair of NIMN Ikeja Chapter; Roseline Abaraonye, Assistant Secretary of NIMN Ikeja Chapter; and Eunice Braimah, Vice Chairman of WIA.

Collectively, they pledged to collaborate with NGOs, health organizations, and other stakeholders to sustain breast cancer advocacy and deepen the initiative’s impact.

A Movement Beyond a Walk

The “Walk for Her” initiative set a new benchmark for industry collaboration, blending creativity, communication, and compassion toward a shared goal.

Beyond a one-day event, it marks the start of a sustained movement. With plans for webinars, survivor storytelling sessions, partnerships with NGOs, and digital outreach, the IMC industry is committed to keeping awareness alive and growing.

As participants marched through Lagos under the pink banner of hope, one message resonated: the IMC industry is not only building brands; it is building a healthier future for all.