About Bola Akingbade

Bola Akingbade is a veteran in Corporate Management, with a particular interest in Marketing.

He attended the famous Government College, Ibadan from 1965 - 1970. He went on to the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) where he was among the first set of graduating students in Food Science and Technology in 1975.

He also holds a Masters Degree in Biochemical Engineering from the University of London, with distinctions in Bio-Engineering Systems and Designs and in Analytics. In addition, he holds a Masters degree, with distinction, in Business Administration from the Obafemi Awolowo University (awarded in 1980).

As it turns out, even though he had a stint as a Lecturer in Food Process Engineering at Ife University and also a Brewer in Nigerian Breweries, it was the Marketing profession that he chose to build an accomplished career that spanned over 35 years!

Inspiring Career Journey

1981 - 1983

Product Manager in Nestlé Nigeria

1983 - 1989

Brand Manager and subsequently Senior Brand Manager, Nigerian Breweries

1990 - 1991

Marketing Executive, Brooke Bond Foods, Unilever UK

1991 - 1992

General Brands Manager, Nigerian Breweries

1992 - 2000

Head of Marketing/ Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries

2001 - 2004

Pan African Brand Proposition Development Manager for the Amstel Brand for Heineken NV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2004 - 2005

Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries

2006 - 2012

Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, MTN Nigeria

He earned a long list of accomplishments, some of which are listed below:

As Product Specialist and subsequently Product Manager in Nestlé, Nigeria, he increased in-home penetration and regular usage of Maggi Cubes by more than 70% between 1981and 1982!

He inspired and managed the strategic "Renewal" of STAR Lager Beer; restoring it to its Number 1 position in the market and inducing sustained growth in both volume and value, share, year - on year.

He inspired the conception and development of the highly successful Premium Amstel Malta which was introduced in 1992. Its successful introduction increased the Nigerian Breweries share of the Malt Drinks market to commanding heights.

He conceived the idea and managed the exciting introduction of the delightful MALTINA “FRUITIES range" to differentiate the MALTINA Brand from others in the Nigerian Malt Drinks market. This gave MALTINA an unassailable market leadership!

He revitalised the ailing Unilever Savoury Foods range in the UK, turning it into a much more widely accepted proposition and the fastest growing product group within the overall Unilever UK Foods Business - all in a space of 18 months! (1990 - 1991)

Injection of innovative Marketing strategies and novel Value Proposition Development frameworks/models to transform MTN into the megabrand it has become in this market.

Upon retirement in June 2012, he took on the role of Chief Executive at BRANDVILLE, a Marketing Consultancy with special focus on Business Strategies and Value Proposition Development.
His marriage of 45years to Bade AKINGBADE, a Legal Practitioner and Business Owner, is blessed with 4 grown professionals and Grandchildren.

Mr. Bola Akingbade at 70 special documentary on his family, life, and career

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