Rising Stars of Marketing: Young Innovators Honored in Brandcom's Prestigious 2025 Lineup

A fresh wave of dynamic talent is set to redefine Nigeria's marketing scene, as Brandcom unveils its eagerly awaited 2025 35 Under 35 Awards cohort. This standout group of trailblazers, all under the age of 35, earned their spots through groundbreaking work in branding, communications, and strategy that delivers real, tangible results.

The awards spotlight emerging leaders who fuse bold ideas with smart execution, transforming how brands connect in West Africa's fast-paced landscape. From a pool of almost 30,000 entries, these 35 honorees stood out for their knack for innovation and business savvy, proving that youth and vision can drive massive change across top agencies and household names.

Leading the pack is Muyiwa Babarinde, head of marketing and growth at Waza, whose strategic prowess has fueled the fintech's meteoric rise. Under his guidance, Waza has handled more than a billion dollars in transactions, cementing its role as a vital hub for multi-currency trade across Africa. Babarinde's track record shines even brighter with past stints boosting SeamlessHR's HR tech footprint, amplifying Facebook's regional reach at Red Media Africa, steering Uber's West African rollout, and spearheading campaigns for Alpha Mead Group in 12 nations. Beyond the boardroom, he's a force for good as a former curator in the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Community in Lagos, where he spearheaded a 2024 blood drive alongside the state health ministry. His trophy case boasts wins like the Young Lions PR Nigeria title, dual SABRE Awards for brand and reputation mastery, plus a nod for The Future Awards Africa in professional services.

Joining him are fellow powerhouses like Oyetola Akeredolu from Diageo, whose fresh approaches are shaking up consumer engagement; Damilare Akinpelu of Ogilvy Africa, a creative force reimagining client stories; Yewande Ade Alao at Seven Up Bottling Company, blending data with flair for standout campaigns; Olawande Meyungbo from Promasidor, turning insights into market wins; and Moninnuola Kassim with Peak at FrieslandCampina WAMCO, whose sharp strategies keep brands buzzing.

Joshua Ajayi, the driving force behind the Brandcom Awards and publisher of Brand Communicator magazine, couldn't hold back his excitement. "These are the visionaries pushing boundaries," he shared. "Their blend of inventive sparks, laser-focused strategies, and unwavering drive for outcomes is setting a whole new benchmark for what marketing excellence looks like in our corner of the world."

Babarinde echoed the sentiment, calling the honor a heartfelt nod to the unsung heroes in his corner. "It's all about the shared hustle from my teams and collaborators," he said. "Marketing thrives when it powers growth and builds stronger communities, and this fires me up to pour even more into Africa's creative ecosystem."

As these young guns gear up to claim their moment, the 2025 list signals a bright horizon for an industry hungry for disruption. With such caliber at the helm, expect bolder narratives, smarter connections, and brands that don't just talk the talk, but walk it straight to the top.