ADVAN Elects O’tega Ogra President, Unveils New Executive Council

The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has elected Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital/New Media, O’tega Ogra, as its new president, alongside a new Executive Council that will steer the association for the 2026–2028 term.

The election was held on Thursday during the association’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

The new Executive Council also includes Gloria Nwabuike, Managing Director of AACE Foods Ltd, as First Vice President; Maurice Igugu, Chief Marketing Officer of The Alternative Bank, as Second Vice President; Seni Ogunkola, Vice President, Brands and Marketers, T2 Mobile, as Treasurer; and Adeola Amosun, Group Head, Media, Tolaram, as Publicity Director.

Other members of the council are Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh of Reckitt Nigeria, James Odejimi of PZ, Martha Ojei Kayode of PZ Cussons, Omobolanle Osotule of Airtel Networks, and Oge Maduakwu of Samsung Electronics West Africa.

The newly elected council succeeds the executive led by immediate past President, Osamede Uwubanmwen.

In his acceptance speech, Ogra pledged to lead an inclusive and results-oriented administration focused on strengthening the value ADVAN delivers to members, building professional capacity across the marketing industry, fostering stronger collaboration among stakeholders, and improving engagement with regulators.

“This is not simply a mandate to occupy office. It is a responsibility to strengthen ADVAN as the leading voice of advertisers and marketing professionals in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the marketing communications industry is undergoing rapid transformation driven by technology, artificial intelligence, data, regulation and changing consumer behaviour, making it imperative for the association to equip members to respond effectively.

“Our industry is changing rapidly. Technology, artificial intelligence, data, regulation, and shifting consumer behaviour are redefining the work we do. ADVAN must help its members understand these changes, prepare for them, and lead through them,” he added.

Ogra said his administration would prioritise structured capacity development, executive education and professional learning, while pursuing the establishment of an ADVAN Institute of Marketing and Brand Leadership under a proposed ADVAN Business School.

He explained that the initiative would serve as a centre for research, training, professional development and the documentation of Nigerian marketing knowledge and case studies.

The new president also pledged to deepen collaboration among advertisers, agencies, media organisations, technology platforms, research institutions and academia to strengthen the country’s marketing ecosystem.

On relations with regulators, including the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Ogra said the association would pursue constructive engagement while protecting the legitimate interests of its members.

“ADVAN will continue to defend the lawful and legitimate interests of its members. At the same time, we believe that dialogue, consultation, and mutual respect provide the strongest foundations for a stable and progressive industry that contributes immensely to the Nigeria economy,” he said.

He added: “We will work to rebuild trust, reopen channels of institutional engagement, and pursue practical resolutions to outstanding areas of disagreement without compromising the principles for which ADVAN and its members stand.”

Ogra commended the outgoing Executive Council, the association’s Board of Trustees, past presidents, members, the ADVAN Secretariat and other industry stakeholders for their contributions to the growth of the association.

The new Executive Council is expected to formally assume office and unveil its strategic priorities and implementation programme after its inaugural meeting.