Friday, 24th May 10:00 - 12:00 WAT
Developing Nigerian brands beyond local presence: Building a global brand amidst economic uncertainty.
While Nigerian brands continue to grow their strength and maintain their presence on the home front, they have, so far, not been able to do so in a way that will enable them to command a global presence.
This forum explored the challenges that Nigerian brand builders encounter in trying to build a global brand.
During the forum, we also discussed the results of our 2024 studies of the strongest, most valuable Nigerian brands.
Dr. Omotola is a seasoned commercial and strategic planning business leader with significant experience (20+years) in fast moving consumer goods sector across Middle East Markets, East and West African markets working in a highly matrix structure in leading organizations.
From developing the West African Markets through a consumer demand model for global brands, her experience in Customer and Trade Marketing complements activities in retail from channels to consumer centric activities for sustainable incremental growth. Through purposeful marketing, she delivered the First Ever World Toilet Day in Nigeria and Partnered with Ministry of health on reduction of Diarrhea and Malaria initiatives. She led the team that delivered world class 1st ever larger under a global Beer Portfolio, first brand extension for Global Creme Liquor as well as managed distinct snacking occasions for global snacking brand across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Omotola is a visionary leader, team player and strong influencer with experience in global FMCG companies with an impressive track record in portfolio and innovation management across very competitive categories.
Ifeanyi E. Okonkwo is one of the Global Intellectual Property (IP) Leaders recognised by the World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR), and the first Nigerian IP expert recognised in the envied IAM300 Global IP Strategist. He is also the first African to write on the subject of Intellectual Property Valuation from an African perspective. He is focused on commercial intellectual property, brands and IP policy for Africa, and he is passionate about the strategic execution and development of African businesses.
On Strategies and Policies, Ifeanyi is one of the few Nigerian IP experts that contributed or critiqued emerging IP regulatory regimes and reviews in Nigeria, including the ongoing GI Draft Bill, the Copyright Amendment Bill (consolidated and now an Act), The Draft Plant Variety Protection Regulation, the Franchise Bill sitting at the National Assembly, and the Nigerian Position on the IP Protocol for AfCFTA. He has contributed to advising Nigerian and African Governments on intellectual property and sustainable development. He is currently AfrIPI’s Consultant in Nigeria for the finalisation of the Geographical Indication Draft Bill.
On Academia, Ifeanyi E. Okonkwo was the foremost African writer on Intellectual Property Valuation in Africa; AI & Copyright; and NFT, Copyright and Commercialisation - a leading citation in Oxford Journals. He is a guest editor at Oxford University Journal for Technology. He is a faculty at the prestigious Tekedia Institute and a Facilitator at the African Franchise Institute, where he lectures on Practical IP for Businesses. He has written over 30 local and international treatises on the areas of IP practice. He owns a degree in law and philosophy respectively, a masters in intellectual property law from the University of Cape Town, a diploma MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology, Washington, and another diploma in Oxford School of Climate Change, Oxford.
On Transactions, Ifeanyi has advised on a plethora of high-level transactions. He has advised a regional leading FMCG company on the certification and standardization of their community marks. He has managed close to a million-trademark portfolio. He has also advised two of the world’s biggest company players on IP, Licensing, and data law. He co-chaired the team that advised West Africa’s leading stock exchange on its IP structuring and development after demutualisation. He also co-chaired the team that conducted the intellectual property audit, valuation, and commercialisation strategy of a leading technology and security company. Ifeanyi has argued some novel IP cases and remains a consultant to various businesses on IP strategy, protection, commercialisation, and sustainability.
With over 18 years of cross-functional experience, Toyin Henry-Ajayi stands as a distinguished expert in brand development and management. Toyin has honed a diverse skill set, encompassing a wide array of strategic and operational disciplines essential for the growth of retail and corporate brands.
Areas of Expertise:
Development of Retail Business Growth Strategy:
Toyin has a proven track record in crafting and implementing comprehensive strategies that drive retail business expansion. Her approach integrates market analysis, competitive positioning, and consumer insights to foster sustainable growth.
Management of Product and Corporate Brand:
She oversees the lifecycle of both product and corporate brands, ensuring they resonate with target audiences and maintain a competitive edge. Her work involves strategic branding, brand equity management, and consistent brand messaging.
Management of High-Profile Events (Local and International):
Toyin has successfully managed high-profile events on both local and international stages. Her expertise ensures seamless execution, impactful audience engagement, and alignment with overarching brand objectives.
Development of Internal & External Communication Strategy:
She is adept at developing robust communication strategies that enhance internal cohesion and elevate external brand perception. Her work ensures clear, consistent, and compelling messaging across all channels.
Digital and Traditional Advertising:
With a keen understanding of both digital and traditional advertising landscapes, Toyin effectively leverages various platforms to amplify brand visibility and reach. Her strategies optimize ROI and drive measurable results.
Project Management:
Toyin’s project management acumen ensures that all initiatives, from marketing campaigns to large-scale events, are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. Her leadership fosters collaboration and drives successful outcomes.
Mike is a global authority on brand economics and valuation, with extensive experience of helping businesses grow by maximising the value creation potential of their brands.
He has over 20 years of experience across a wide range of branding challenges, leading assignments on brand-led growth, brand-related cost savings, brand-based negotiations and transactions, and expert witness work for disputes.
His experience of leading teams of analysts on the evaluation of brand strength and value for the world’s most valuable brands gives him unique insight into the factors that drive brand success globally.
Prior to joining Brand Finance, Mike was the global lead for the brand economics practice at Interbrand. He has a broad range of experience across many sectors, with clients including Allianz, AXA, British Gas, BUPA, Ericsson, Goldman Sachs, Hertz, Hyundai, Kia, Mastercard, Orange, PayPal, Samsung, Standard Chartered Bank, Virgin, among others.
Mike studied Economics at Cambridge University and is a Chartered Marketer and Chartered Accountant, having qualified with Arthur Andersen in London. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, ICAEW Valuation Group and Chartered Institute of Marketing.
As a well-versed brand advisor, Oliver have over 15 years of experience with Brand Finance advising strongly branded organisations, both large and small, on how to maximise shareholder value through effective management of their intangible assets.
During his time at Brand Finance, he has been the Global Account Director for Vodafone – a position held for five years. During this period Oliver directed 20 strategic projects for the Vodafone Global Brand team including valuing the Vodafone portfolio in 72 markets for four consecutive years. He also valued the Miller portfolio of brands following the acquisition of Miller by SAB plc for balance sheet recognition in May 2002. Some of his other clients include Absa, Brand South Africa, De Beers, FNB, Manchester United, Microsoft, Petronas, SANParks, Shell, Standard Chartered Bank, Telefonica, Telkom, and Virgin.
Beyond his role at Brand Finance, Oliver assists the Reporting & Analysis Team for a global volunteer organisation. His team are based in South Africa, South Korea, Japan, Austria, Netherlands, and the US.
He also holds a BA in Computer Science.
Babatunde is a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) with over 20 years of valuation experience. He is passionate about the valuation of intangible assets and the role intellectual property plays in driving a nation's wealth. He is dedicated to educating innovative ventures on how to see their intangible assets especially brands as strategic assets and the cornerstone of their enterprise.
He started his valuation career as a research associate with Corporate Valuations, an independent business and intangible asset valuation consultancy, where he assisted in the performance of numerous valuation exercises, then with Valuation Consulting Limited, where he gained extensive experience by working on the valuation of major brands such Boots, BBC, Eden Project, Alcatel, Blake Hotel etc.
Babatunde is a qualified member of the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analyst, (NACVA) and also the African Associaton of Certified Valuators and Analyst (AACVA). He has a business degree from the University of Surrey.
