A New Chapter for Nigerian Marketing: The 2025 Awards and NIPR Endorsement

The Nigerian Marketing Awards (NMA) has once again taken a significant step toward solidifying its role as the nation’s premier platform for celebrating marketing excellence.

The recent announcement of the 2025 Awards Decision Council and, more notably, the landmark endorsement from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), signals a new era of unity and credibility within the industry.

This dual development not only reinforces the awards’ integrity but also cements its position as a truly inclusive and comprehensive celebration of Nigeria’s vibrant marketing and communications landscape.

The composition of the 2025 Awards Decision Council itself is a testament to the NMA’s commitment to rigor and fairness. This distinguished panel comprises leaders from every facet of the industry, including marketing, advertising, media, public relations, and regulation.

Under the leadership of Iquo Ukoh, the council’s diverse expertise ensures a holistic and well-rounded evaluation of all submissions. The presence of seasoned professionals like Nsima Ogedi-Alakwe, Babs Fagade, and Bunmi Oke, alongside newer voices such as Tomiwa Aladekomo, reflects a balanced approach that values both long-standing experience and modern innovation. This expert group is tasked with the critical responsibility of maintaining the awards’ transparency, setting a gold standard for creativity and strategic impact in Nigeria.

The formal endorsement by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations marks a pivotal moment in the awards’ history. By joining the five other professional bodies—ARCON, NIMN, AAAN, EXMAN, and OAAN—that have supported the awards from their inception, the NIPR completes a coalition that represents the entire marketing ecosystem.

This unity sends a powerful message to the industry: that the NMA is not just an event, but a collective platform owned and supported by the very institutions that govern and shape the profession.

As NMA Founder Tony Agenmonmen noted, this collective participation makes the awards the “most inclusive and credible platform” to recognize marketing excellence.

The presence of a nominated representative, Tokunboh George-Taylor, on the council further integrates the public relations perspective, ensuring that strategic communication efforts are evaluated with the same depth and consideration as traditional marketing campaigns.

As the industry looks forward to the 4th edition of the Nigerian Marketing Awards on November 15, 2025, the significance of these developments cannot be overstated. With an accreditation from the UK-based Independent Awards Standards Council (IASC) already in place, the NMA’s credibility is now bolstered by the full backing of Nigeria’s leading professional bodies.

This comprehensive support ensures that every award given is not just a trophy, but a definitive mark of achievement, recognized for its fairness, transparency, and genuine merit. The ongoing call for entries reminds professionals and agencies of the opportunity to showcase their work and be part of an awards platform that truly reflects the best of Nigerian marketing.