The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) is set to launch a new programme called LeadHers in Marketing, an initiative designed to help more women rise to leadership positions within Nigeria’s marketing industry.
The initiative aims to address the long-standing gap between women’s strong presence in the marketing workforce and their relatively low representation at the highest levels of decision-making and executive leadership.
For decades, women have played a key role in shaping brand narratives, understanding consumer behaviour and driving creativity across Nigeria’s marketing ecosystem. However, industry observers note that their influence has not always translated into equal representation in senior leadership roles within organisations.
NIMN says the LeadHers in Marketing programme is intended to change that pattern by creating a structured pathway that supports women as they move into executive and strategic leadership positions.
Speaking at the unveiling in Lagos, President of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi, described the initiative as a major step toward strengthening gender balance within the profession.
“Women have always been a powerful force within Nigeria’s marketing ecosystem, but their representation at the highest levels has not fully reflected their contributions,” she said.
“LeadHers in Marketing is our commitment to creating a structured pathway for women to lead, influence strategy and shape the future of the profession.”
According to Bayo-Ajayi, the programme is designed to institutionalise gender equity within the marketing industry by encouraging deliberate action to promote female leadership.
“For Nigeria to remain a global hub of marketing excellence, our leadership must reflect the full spectrum of talent available to us,” she said. “This initiative ensures that women are not only present in the room but are shaping the decisions that drive business and national growth.”
At the centre of the programme is a six-pillar framework created to guide the development and advancement of women across the profession. The framework focuses on Leadership, Visibility, Impact, Growth, Mentorship and Professional Development.
NIMN explained that the Leadership and Growth pillars are designed to equip women with strategic thinking skills, ethical grounding and the resilience needed to navigate complex executive environments.
The Visibility and Mentorship pillars are intended to help break psychological and social barriers that often slow career progression for women. By connecting experienced professionals with emerging talents, the programme aims to foster what organisers describe as a “see it to be it” culture.
Meanwhile, the Impact and Professional Development pillars are structured to ensure that the programme translates into measurable outcomes for both organisations and individuals, including career advancement opportunities and stronger leadership pipelines within the marketing profession.
NIMN noted that the programme will support women across different segments of the marketing ecosystem, including agency leaders, corporate marketing professionals, academics and rising industry talents.
By covering multiple stages of career development, the institute hopes to create a sustainable pipeline of female leaders capable of shaping the future direction of Nigeria’s marketing sector.
The official launch of the initiative is scheduled to take place on March 6, 2026, at the Civic Centre Lagos.
The event is expected to bring together senior executives, marketing professionals and public sector leaders, including keynote speaker Osayi Alile, Chief Executive Officer of the ACT Foundation.
Industry figures such as Folake Soetan of Ikeja Electric, Chioma Afe, Adebola Williams and Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka are also expected to participate in the launch event.
The initiative has also received institutional backing from the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, represented by Honourable Commissioner Folashade Bada Ambrose, highlighting the broader economic importance of expanding leadership opportunities for women in Nigeria’s professional sectors.
