Mr Lolu Akinwunmi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Prima Garnet, will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Annual Brands and Marketing Conference of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), scheduled for November 6 in Lagos.
The conference, themed “Advertising in Nigeria & AI: Who Needs Creative Agency?”, will bring together professionals across advertising, marketing, brand communications, corporate affairs and technology to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the industry and redefining the role of creative agencies.
Akinwunmi is expected to share insights into the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, particularly its implications for creative development, brand strategy and the future of advertising practice.
The growing adoption of AI-powered tools has transformed several aspects of marketing, from content creation and consumer analytics to personalised messaging and campaign optimisation. While these technologies offer businesses opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs, they have also triggered concerns about the relevance and sustainability of traditional creative agencies.
The conference will therefore interrogate whether AI can eventually replace creative agencies or whether it will become a strategic tool that enhances their capabilities and expands the value they offer clients.
Although AI can automate routine processes, generate content and accelerate campaign development, effective advertising still requires strategic thinking, originality, cultural intelligence and a deep understanding of consumer behaviour.
Other speakers at the conference include Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and Bethel Obioma, Head of Corporate Communications at Sahara Group.
The panel discussion will be moderated by Tolulope A. Modasbem, Chief Executive Officer of Lead Central and author of Integrated Marketing.
Panellists include Angela Ukara-Makinde, Chief Engagement Strategist at EXP Marketing Nigeria and Vice President of BJAN; Adeola Amosun, Group Media Manager at Tolaram Group; Dr Seyi Akindeinde, Founder of Hyperspace Technologies; George Isitu-Okukwe, Chief Executive Officer of TBWA\Concept; and Dr Oludare Ogunyemi, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State.
According to Mr Daniel Obi, BJAN’s Chairman, the conference will provide an opportunity for industry stakeholders to exchange perspectives on AI’s implications for brand building, advertising creativity and the future of marketing communications in Nigeria.
The conference comes amid increasing adoption of generative AI across the global advertising industry, putting pressure on agencies to rethink traditional business models, develop new capabilities and demonstrate the strategic value of human creativity in an increasingly automated marketplace.
