X3M Ideas, Leo Burnett Lagos, Noah’s Ark Shine at 2025 LAIF Awards as Shobanjo Receives Icon Honour
X3M Ideas, Leo Burnett Lagos, and Noah’s Ark Communications Limited emerged as the standout winners at the 2025 Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival (LAIF) Awards, Nigeria’s premier celebration of creative excellence in advertising. The event took place on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.
A key highlight of the evening was the recognition of advertising pioneer Biodun Shobanjo, who was honored with the prestigious LAIF Icon award for his significant contributions to the development of advertising across Africa.
X3M Ideas showcased dominance throughout the night, earning the coveted Agency of the Year accolade after impressive performances across numerous categories. The agency secured 12 Gold, 26 Silver, and 24 Bronze awards. Leo Burnett Lagos also made a strong showing, bringing home 2 Gold, 11 Silver, and 23 Bronze awards. Meanwhile, Noah’s Communications Limited made a notable impact with 7 Gold, 9 Silver, and 8 Bronze awards.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the 2025 LAIF Awards brought together industry stakeholders, creative professionals, agency leaders, regulators, and emerging talents to honor innovation, craftsmanship, and the lasting influence of Nigerian advertising.
In his welcome address, LAIF Management Board Chairman Jay Chukwuemeka reflected on the strides made since 2023 and the significance of the festival’s two-decade milestone. “As my term as LAIF Board Chair wraps up, I am filled with pride and gratitude. In our final year, we are honored to celebrate the incredible achievements recorded since 2023. We have witnessed remarkable growth, innovation, and creativity, and tonight we recognize the best among us. One of the defining achievements of this Board has been the creation of structures that ensure inclusivity, expansion, and a seamless handover to the next leadership. Initiatives such as the LAIF Report, the LAIF Academy, the LAIF Archive Portal, the Domination Committee, and the Internship Program have strengthened the festival and deepened industry collaboration. Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you to everyone who made this journey possible. We came, we saw, we raised the bar, and we brought new life into LAIF,” he said.
During the event, President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Lanre Adisa, emphasized the importance of the milestone. “Tonight, we are not just celebrating creativity, we are celebrating endurance, patience, and the collective resilience of an industry that refuses to die. LAIF began as a simple dream that our work deserved to be seen, judged, and celebrated. Today, it has grown into one of the strongest creative institutions on the continent. As we enjoy the night, let’s remember that advertising will be 100 years old in Nigeria by 2028. This means the next chapter is on all of us. We must continue to push boundaries, discover new talent, and prove that Nigeria is not just part of the global conversation, but that we aim to lead it. Celebrate, toast, reflect, and come back stronger. The future is bright, and it begins here,” he stated.
This milestone edition also highlighted the evolution of LAIF from a modest industry recognition platform into one of Africa’s most respected creative award bodies. The ceremony honored groundbreaking campaigns, celebrated emerging creatives, and underscored the festival’s pivotal role in shaping the future of advertising in Nigeria.
Additionally, past LAIF Chairmen, including Funmi Onabolu and Bunmi Oke, were recognized for their contributions to pushing creative boundaries through the awards.