Iquo Ukoh and Lolu Akinwunmi Appointed Co-Chairs of Inaugural CMO Circle
The CMO Circle—Nigeria’s exclusive, invitation-only forum for Chief Marketing Officers and senior marketing executives—has announced Iquo Ukoh and Lolu Akinwunmi as Co-Chairs for its 2026 gathering. As a high-trust, executive platform, the Circle unites Nigeria’s most influential marketing leaders to shape strategic direction at the nexus of business and public policy.
Organised by MarkHack in collaboration with StatiSense and Brand Communicator, the CMO Circle operates at the intersection of enterprise leadership and national development. Beyond facilitating dialogue, the Circle institutionalises its influence through the quarterly CMO Index—a flagship publication that consolidates executive sentiment, market intelligence, and future-oriented insights to inform policy debates and economic planning. This initiative positions marketing leadership as a vital voice in shaping Nigeria’s business landscape and policy framework.
As Co-Chairs, Ukoh and Akinwunmi will oversee high-level discussions centred on innovation, talent development, enterprise growth, and the evolving role of the CMO within the executive suite. Their leadership amplifies the Circle’s reputation as a convening authority—one that not only reflects industry thinking but actively shapes it.
Ukoh, CEO of Entod Marketing and former Director of Marketing Services at Nestlé Nigeria, is celebrated for her expertise in brand strategy, consumer engagement, and cultural storytelling. Akinwunmi, Group CEO of Prima Garnet (Ogilvy Nigeria), brings decades of experience advising leading national and multinational brands, along with a distinguished record of industry leadership.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Victor ’Gbenga Afolabi, Convener of MarkHack and the CMO Circle, stated:
“The CMO Circle is intentionally designed as a premium, outcomes-driven platform—one that moves marketing leadership beyond the boardroom into the sphere of policy influence. With Iquo Ukoh and Lolu Akinwunmi as Co-Chairs, we are setting a clear tone of authority, depth, and relevance. Through the CMO Index and our quarterly convenings, the Circle will play a defining role in shaping both industry direction and policy dialogue.”
The inaugural 2026 session, themed “The C-Suite Mandate: Talent Density and Marketing Leadership,” will bring together a curated network of CMOs and business leaders, reaffirming the Circle’s position as Nigeria’s foremost forum for strategic influence, peer exchange, and policy-relevant insights within the marketing ecosystem.