From left:Mr Adewale Adesina, Corporate service Manager;Mrs Thelma Okoh, Registrar;Dr Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi, President and Mrs Mrs Olufade Adenike, Council Member all of National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria(NIMN) During the Unveiling of LeadHers in Marketing held in Lagos.

The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) has introduced a new initiative designed to empower and advance women in Nigeria’s marketing profession, as part of efforts to promote greater gender balance in leadership roles across the industry.

The initiative, known as “LeadHers in Marketing,” was unveiled at an event in Lagos, where stakeholders gathered to discuss strategies for strengthening the role of women in shaping the future of marketing in the country.

For years, women have played a critical role in building brands, understanding consumer behaviour and driving creative innovation within Nigeria’s marketing ecosystem. However, despite their significant contributions, their presence at the highest decision-making levels of the profession remains limited.

Speaking at the unveiling, the President of NIMN, Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi, described the initiative as a strategic step toward institutionalising gender inclusion and expanding opportunities for women to attain executive leadership positions within the profession.

According to her, the programme is designed to create a structured pathway that enables women to lead, influence strategy and contribute more significantly to the development of the marketing industry.

She noted that while women have consistently demonstrated their value within the sector, there is still a need for deliberate and sustained efforts to ensure their representation in top leadership and decision-making roles.

Bayo-Ajayi emphasised that building a globally competitive marketing industry in Nigeria requires leadership that reflects the full spectrum of available talent.

“At the core of this initiative is the commitment to ensure that women are not only present in the room but are also actively shaping the decisions that drive business growth and national development,” she said.

The programme is built around a six-pillar framework designed to deliver measurable results across the profession. The pillars include Leadership, Visibility, Impact, Growth, Mentorship, and Professional Development, each targeted at supporting women at various stages of their careers.

According to Bayo-Ajayi, the Leadership and Growth pillars will equip participants with the strategic thinking, ethical grounding and resilience needed to navigate complex executive environments.

Meanwhile, the Visibility and Mentorship pillars aim to break social and psychological barriers by promoting a “see-it-to-be-it” culture, where experienced professionals guide and inspire the next generation of female marketing leaders.

Through the initiative, NIMN hopes to build a stronger pipeline of women leaders capable of shaping the future of Nigeria’s marketing profession and contributing to broader economic development.