Today, the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) stands as a hub for over 160 listed companies, with a total market capitalization of N58.91 trillion as of November 2024.
Among these, only a select few surpass the $1 billion valuation milestone, showcasing the strength and resilience of Nigeria’s top-performing firms.
Leading the market are giants like Airtel Africa, Dangote Cement, and BUA Foods, collectively valued at over N20 trillion, which represents nearly 40% of the NGX’s total market capitalization.
Behind these billion-dollar companies are directors of marketing and communications. These leaders play a vital role in driving revenue growth, fostering industry partnerships, and ensuring their brands thrive in competitive and volatile markets.
Their innovative strategies and ability to manage crises effectively have positioned their companies for sustained success while building trust among stakeholders.
This article highlights 10 marketing and communications leaders who lead the expert teams reshaping Nigeria’s corporate landscape. From managing brand narratives to leveraging data-driven strategies, they have become the driving force behind some of the country’s most valuable and influential companies.
Market cap –N3.6 trillion
With over 23 years of experience spanning telecommunications, logistics, and education, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka is a business leader renowned for crafting innovative strategies, expanding markets, and fostering talent development.
- Her academic journey reflects a commitment to excellence, with an MBA in General Management from Alliance Manchester Business School (2008-2010) and a BSc in Geology from the University of Calabar (1994-1997).
- She has further honed her expertise through executive programs at Columbia Business School (Business to Business Marketing, 2014) and Harvard Business School (Strategic Negotiations, 2012).
- At MTN, Onyinye has made a significant impact by developing profitable business models for enterprise and digital initiatives, serving SMEs, large organizations, and multinationals.
- As General Manager of enterprise Sales, she led nationwide efforts, achieving consistent year-on-year growth and driving market expansion. Her ability to oversee go-to-market models has nurtured emerging products into mature, revenue-generating engines.
Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka is an accomplished international speaker on leadership, commercial strategies, and technology. She serves as guest faculty at Tekedia Institute and PearlMutual Academy, co-founded theOIEhub, and is a John Maxwell-certified leader. Additionally, she is on the boards of two Nigerian startups, a member of the Forbes Business Development Council, and a doctoral student at Cranfield University, UK.
MTN Nigeria, with a market capitalization of $2.19 billion (N3.67 trillion), represents 6.21% of the equity market. Despite a $462.81 million (N713.63 billion) pre-tax loss due to the naira devaluation, it generated $1.53 billion (N2.37 trillion) in service revenue in the first nine months of 2024, demonstrating strong resilience.
