The forum, known for its exclusivity and influence, continues to position itself as more than a networking space. It is designed as a strategic hub where marketing leadership intersects with enterprise performance and broader national policy conversations. By bringing together some of the country’s most influential brand custodians, the Circle aims to deepen the role of marketing executives in shaping both commercial direction and policy-relevant insights.
At the center of the 2026 edition are Iquo Ukoh and Lolu Akinwunmi, who have been named Co-Chairs of the upcoming gathering. Their selection reflects a deliberate emphasis on experience, industry credibility, and leadership depth within Nigeria’s marketing landscape.
Ukoh, who currently serves as CEO of Entod Marketing and previously held the position of Director of Marketing Services at Nestlé Nigeria, is widely recognized for her work in brand strategy, consumer insight development, and culturally grounded storytelling that connects brands to audiences in meaningful ways.
Akinwunmi, Group CEO of Prima Garnet (Ogilvy Nigeria), brings decades of advisory experience across leading local and multinational brands, alongside a longstanding reputation for industry leadership and strategic communications excellence.
The CMO Circle itself is convened by MarkHack in collaboration with StatiSense and Brand Communicator. Together, these partners have built a platform that not only facilitates executive dialogue but also attempts to structure that dialogue into measurable industry intelligence.
One of the Circle’s defining instruments is the quarterly CMO Index, a publication that aggregates executive sentiment, market intelligence, and forward-looking perspectives from senior marketing leaders. The Index is positioned as a tool for both industry reflection and policy engagement, offering structured insight into how marketing leaders perceive shifts in business conditions and economic direction.
Speaking on the announcement, Convener of Dr. Victor ’Gbenga Afolabi and founder of MarkHack and the CMO Circle, emphasized the platform’s strategic intent and long-term positioning within Nigeria’s business ecosystem:
“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 2026 edition will debut under the theme “The C-Suite Mandate: Talent Density and Marketing Leadership.” The session is expected to gather a tightly curated group of CMOs and senior business executives to examine how leadership capability, talent development, and organizational structure are reshaping modern marketing functions.
Beyond discussion, the Circle continues to position itself as a rare executive space where marketing is treated not just as a business function, but as a driver of enterprise growth and a contributor to national economic discourse.