Category Archives: NEC

Colette Otusheso is the Chief Executive Officer of The Accelerate Media Group, an award-winning multimedia company championing authentic African storytelling, creativity and youth empowerment.

Under her leadership, Accelerate Media Group has evolved into a dynamic media ecosystem comprising Accelerate Studios, Accelerate Plus (a streaming video-on-demand platform), The Accelerate creative Agency and The Phoenix Project, a capacity-building initiative that has trained over 12,000 young Nigerians across creative disciplines.

With more than 23 years of experience spanning MNET (Multichoice Group) and Viacom International Media Networks Africa, Colette has led groundbreaking campaigns for global brands such as MTV including the award-winning MTV Shuga, BET and Nickelodeon.

Through Accelerate, Colette and her team continue to drive Africa’s creative and cultural narrative, producing globally recognised projects such as Visa on Arrival, The Olive, Streets of Lagos, and The Decolonisation of Africa, featuring President Olusegun Obasanjo and other notable African leaders. Named among the Top 50 Leading Women in Corporate Nigeria, Top 100 Career Women in Nigeria, Top 15 most influential women in Nigerian Media and the Eko 100 Leading Women by the Lagos State Government, Colette also serves on the Board of LAIF – Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival.

She is a graduate of the University for the Creative Arts, United Kingdom and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Business Strategy from Columbia Business School (with MIT Sloan Management Institute, USA).

So Join Colette for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Qudus Onikeku is a Nigerian dancer, choreographer, and multidisciplinary artist known for blending Yoruba culture with contemporary dance, hip-hop, and acrobatics. His powerful, movement-driven work explores themes like memory and identity, rooted in traditional Yoruba philosophy. After founding his dance company YK Projects in France and gaining acclaim with works such as My Exile is in My Head and Qaddish, he returned to Nigeria in 2014 to co-found The QDance Center in Lagos,a creative hub for training and artistic development.

Onikeku has performed in over 60 countries at major festivals and exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale, Festival d’Avignon, RomaEuropa, TED Global, and more. His work is in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Canada, and he has taught as a visiting professor at UC Davis and Columbia College Chicago. From 2019 to 2022, he was the first Maker in Residence at the University of Florida’s Center for Arts, Migration, and Entrepreneurship.

He is also the founder of the Afropolis Festival, CEO of the J. Randle Centre for Yorùbá Culture and History.

So Join Qudus for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Dr. Shaibu Husseini is the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria’s Film and Video Regulatory Agency—the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). A foremost culture, theatre, film and creative industry expert, he is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most consistent documentarists. He holds a First Class BSc degree in Mass Communication (LASU), an MSc (Distinction), and a PhD in Mass Communication, both degrees obtained from the University of Lagos. An alumnus of the U.S. International Visitors Leadership Programme and the AIG Public Leaders Programme at Oxford University, he previously held leadership positions at the National Theatre/National Troupe of Nigeria including serving as the Secretary.

of the Governing Board of the National Theatre/National Troupe of Nigeria.

For over three decades, Shaibu has worked as a journalist with The Guardian. He currently chairs the Selection Committee of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), lectures as an Adjunct at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Lagos, and consults for major local and international festivals and institutions.

So Join Dr. Husseini for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Moliehi Molekoa is a distinguished South African communications expert and the Managing Director of Magna Carta Reputation Management Consultants, a leading Pan-African firm. With nearly 20 years of experience, she has established herself as a leader in strategic communication, reputation management, and brand storytelling across Africa. Since joining Magna Carta in 2005, Molekoa steadily advanced to lead the company, overseeing its operations and expansive network across 18 African countries.

Under her leadership, Magna Carta has earned multiple accolades, including being named “African Consultancy of the Year” by the Holmes Report (now PRovoke Media). Molekoa has worked with top-tier clients such as MTN Group, Standard Bank, Old Mutual Limited, and PepsiCo, managing both their brand reputations and high-profile crises, including those for the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.

A strong advocate for the value of public relations, Molekoa emphasizes the importance of PR professionals having a voice in boardroom decisions, highlighting their role in providing candid insights on risks and how they might impact a business’s success.

So Join Moliehi for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Audu Maikori is a Nigerian lawyer, entrepreneur, and social activist best known as the co-founder and former CEO of Chocolate City Group. Founded in 2005 alongside Paul Okeugo, Chocolate City grew into one of Africa’s leading entertainment conglomerates, launching the careers of major artists like M.I Abaga, Ice Prince. As CEO, Maikori expanded the company’s influence across music, media, and distribution before stepping down in 2015.

During his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) tenure, Maikori co-founded the Guild of Artistes and Poets (GAP), a nonprofit supporting young creatives. His leadership earned him the British Council’s International Young Music Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2007, and Chocolate City won the African Awards for Entrepreneurship in 2011. A committed advocate for social justice, Maikori promotes entrepreneurship as a tool for economic empowerment.

Beyond business, he has served as a judge on entrepreneurial panels for Microsoft and the Chivas The Venture Competition. As a public speaker and creative industry expert, Maikori continues to inspire and mentor emerging entrepreneurs across Africa.

So Join Audu for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Iretomiwa Akintunde-Johnson is a Public Relations and Communications specialist and is currently a Lead Public Relations and Communications Adviser at ID Africa (a BHM company). In addition to her Public Relations career, Iretomiwa is also an author and a lawyer.

She earned her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Lagos and an LLB from the Nigerian Law School in 2015. She worked at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice from 2016 to 2017.

Her career with BHM began in 2018 as an Associate Consultant, before she was promoted to the position of Public Relations Consultant in 2019. In 2020, Iretomiwa became a Lead Public Relations and Communications Adviser at ID Africa, where she spearheads the development, communication and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes in the business, including new communications and PR models, and in areas like product thinking and advocacy.

She authored an essay on how trust and truth will play an integral role in government and business, and why Communication will be key to making that happen. In 2022, she was pencilled to lead ID Africa’s operations in West Africa via Lagos and Accra. And was appointed in 2023. She also serves as a Chief Consultant in BHM, effective March 2025.

So Join Iretomiwa for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Njideka Akabogu Eke-Uche is a PR & Communications Expert with over a decade of experience crafting and deploying communication strategies to help global and Pan-African brands and organisations effectively connect with their audiences across Africa.

She currently serves as Regional Manager, East Africa at ID Africa (BHM) where she is charged with developing and implementing growth strategies, business processes as well as providing day-to-day leadership on clients’ accounts. Njideka has driven communications and storytelling for international and Pan-African brands such as MultiChoice, Showmax, MTN, ViacomCBS, Heineken, The Macallan, Flour Mills of Nigeria and Betway over the course of her career.

She has also received industry recognitions for her work – including Brand Communicator’s 35 under 35 top Marketing Professionals in Nigeria for 2022, Y! Naija’s New Establishment List 2019 and Public Relations Society of Kenya’s top PR Practitioners for 2024. Njideka was also nominated as Rising PR Practitioner of the Year by NIPR in 2022.

So Join Njideka for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

James “Abinibi” Alabi is a Nigerian film director, producer, writer, and entrepreneur celebrated for crafting distinctly African stories. Through his production company, Rockbottom Flix, Alabi creates films and series that tackle social issues and give voice to underrepresented communities.

His work including Miss PJ, Life and Dirt, Last Request, and The Call, has gained both critical and popular acclaim. Abinibi continues to shape the African film landscape by merging creativity with purpose, using his platform to tell stories that resonate across cultures while staying rooted in African realities.

So Join James Abinibi for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Hammed Adebiyi is an innovative and results-driven marketing leader with over a decade of experience building brand equity and driving market leadership within the premium spirits industry. With a proven track record across top multinational companies including Edrington, Pernod Ricard, and Guinness Nigeria, he has consistently led strategic initiatives that deliver brand visibility, consumer engagement, and revenue growth.

Throughout his career, Hammed has played a pivotal role in shaping the success of iconic brands such as The Macallan and Imperial Blue, leading them to significant market share gains and solidifying their dominance in competitive markets. At Edrington, he has continued to elevate brand performance through integrated marketing strategies, impactful digital communications, and high-value partnerships with aspirational lifestyle brands.

Adept in both brand and trade marketing, Hammed has developed and executed successful product launches, trade activations, and market-driven campaigns that directly translate into sales and brand loyalty. Known for his collaborative leadership style, he has built and guided high-performing teams, aligned cross-functional stakeholders, and forged strategic partnerships. Passionate about the premium spirits sector, Hammed brings a sharp commercial mindset, creative vision, and a deep understanding of consumer behavior—making him a key player in driving growth within the Food & Beverage industry.

So join Hammed for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng

Yinka Ijabiyi is a seasoned Nigerian marketing communications professional and writer with over 25 years of experience spanning journalism, public relations, branding, and strategic marketing. He currently serves as the Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank of Nigeria Limited and FBN Holdings, where he leads integrated communication strategies across seven markets. His role encompasses public relations, executive positioning, reputation management, and marketing campaigns that align with business goals and drive measurable growth.

Ijabiyi’s diverse career cuts across journalism, telecommunications, financial services, and the non-profit sector. He brings deep expertise in internal communications, digital marketing, CSR, media strategy, sponsorships, and publications management. Known for his ability to craft compelling brand narratives, he has successfully led brand repositioning efforts and data-driven campaigns for blue-chip brands across Nigeria, sub-Saharan Africa, and the UK.

A strategic leader with a strong commercial acumen, he has managed marketing budgets exceeding ₦80 billion, consistently delivering over 50% gains in output and achieving significant cost efficiencies. His contributions include overseeing FirstBank’s major rebranding efforts, milestone anniversary campaigns, and the customer-focused ‘Giants’ initiative. Yinka Ijabiyi is recognized for his creative approach, analytical mindset, and ability to translate business drivers into impactful brand and communication strategies.

So join Yinka for NECLive 2025 on Friday, November 28 2025 at Landmark Events Centre. This year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa Through Creative Enterprise.” Register now: www.nec.ng