Iquo Ukoh, Lolu Akinwunmi Named Co-Chairs of 2026 CMO Circle

Iquo Ukoh, Lolu Akinwunmi Named Co-Chairs of 2026 CMO Circle

CMO Circle⁠� has announced the appointment of Iquo Ukoh and Lolu Akinwunmi as Co-Chairs for its 2026 convening.

The CMO Circle, regarded as Nigeria’s premier invitation-only platform for Chief Marketing Officers and senior marketing executives, is designed to foster high-level conversations around business growth, innovation, and policy influence.

Convened by MarkHack⁠� in partnership with StatiSense⁠� and Brand Communicator⁠�, the platform seeks to position marketing leadership as a strategic driver of enterprise development and national economic progress.

A key feature of the initiative is the quarterly CMO Index, a publication that captures executive sentiment, market intelligence, and industry insights aimed at supporting business and policy decision-making in Nigeria.

As Co-Chairs, Ukoh and Akinwunmi are expected to lead discussions focused on innovation, talent development, enterprise growth, and the evolving role of Chief Marketing Officers within corporate leadership structures.

Ukoh, who previously served as Director of Marketing Services at Nestlé Nigeria⁠�, is recognised for her expertise in brand strategy, consumer engagement, and cultural storytelling.

Akinwunmi, on the other hand, brings decades of experience in advertising, brand management, and corporate communications through his leadership at Ogilvy Nigeria⁠� and Prima Garnet Group.

Speaking on the appointments, Victor 'Gbenga Afolabi said the platform was intentionally designed to move marketing leadership beyond traditional business discussions into the sphere of national policy influence.

According to him, the appointment of Ukoh and Akinwunmi signals the Circle’s commitment to authority, relevance, and strategic impact across Nigeria’s marketing ecosystem.

The inaugural 2026 session of the CMO Circle will hold under the theme, “The C-Suite Mandate: Talent Density and Marketing Leadership,” bringing together a select network of CMOs and business leaders for strategic dialogue and peer engagement.