BHM, a prominent public relations and communications company, has officially named two regional managers and lead advisers as part of its strategic African expansion plan through ID Africa, a leading pan-African communications services and advisory firm.
Iretomiwa Akintunde-Johnson, the current leader of ID Africa’s corporate communications segment in Nigeria, has been officially appointed as the Regional Manager for the company’s West Africa practice.
Similarly, Njideka Akabogu, who heads the media, entertainment, and creative segment, has been approved to oversee and expand ID Africa’s East Africa practice. In her new role, Iretomiwa will manage operations in Lagos and Abuja (Nigeria) and Accra (Ghana), while Njideka will spearhead operations in Nairobi, Kenya, marking a significant expansion for the company in the region. Both executives have been in their respective roles in an acting capacity since October 2022.
Iretomiwa Akintunde-Johnson is a multifaceted professional with a background in law, public relations, communications, and creativity. Her career in communications commenced at BHM, a prominent integrated communications services firm in Africa. Starting as an Associate Consultant, Iretomiwa demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication, leading to her promotion to the position of Consultant in 2019.
In 2020, Iretomiwa took on the role of Lead PR and Communications Adviser at ID Africa. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in driving the development, communication, and implementation of effective growth strategies and processes for the business. Her contributions spanned various areas, including the introduction of new communications and PR models, as well as expertise in product thinking and advocacy.
Iretomiwa’s diverse skill set and strategic insights have contributed significantly to the success and evolution of the organizations she has been associated with in the communications industry.
Iretomiwa Akintunde-Johnson holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Lagos and an LLB from the Nigerian Law School, both earned in 2015, following which she practiced law. Beyond her legal career, Iretomiwa has made significant contributions to the field of communications. She authored an essay emphasizing the pivotal roles of trust and truth in government and business, highlighting the crucial role of communication in achieving this.
Additionally, she serves as the committee chair for the Africa PR and Communications Report, showcasing her leadership in the industry.
Njideka Akabogu is a graduate with a degree in Information Science from Abia State University. Over the course of more than eight years, she has accumulated a wealth of experience in diverse roles, showcasing her versatility as a professional. Njideka has held positions as a content strategist, content creator, fashion editor, and communications consultant. Her extensive and varied skill set highlights her proficiency in media and communications, solidifying her as a valuable asset in the industry.
Currently, Njideka holds the role of Lead PR and Communications Adviser at ID Africa. In this capacity, she has provided consulting services for a range of international brands, including Showmax and DStv, ViacomCBS Networks Africa, and its in-house brands such as MTV Base, BET International, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central. Her client portfolio also includes Betway, among others, showcasing her ability to contribute to the success of notable brands in the industry.
Before assuming her current role as Lead PR and Communications Adviser, Njideka Akabogu served as the Editor at the fashion and lifestyle platform, 234Star. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in elevating the platform to become a recognized voice within the industry, gaining prominence among both industry players and fashion enthusiasts on social media. Her impactful contributions led to her inclusion in the New Establishment List in 2019 and recognition on Brand Communicator’s 35 under 35 list of top Marketing professionals in Nigeria for 2022.
Additionally, she received a nomination as the Rising PR Practitioner of The Year by NIPR in 2022.
In their roles across Africa, both Iretomiwa and Njideka will report to Femi Falodun, the Executive Director of BHM Holdings, who brings valuable expertise and experience to guide their efforts as CEO of ID Africa.
“This is a critical time in Africa’s history, and I’m excited to be a part of the narrative of claiming our identity, providing world-class communications strategies tailor-made to our realities and expanding ID Africa’s unique combination of industry insights, market knowledge and vast content creation studio, across West Africa,” says Iretomiwa.
Speaking about her new role, Njideka says she is excited to be taking on a market and challenge, and she’s looking forward to impacting the East African marketing communications industry.
“This announcement has been a long-time coming as we have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure this expansion to East Africa happens successfully. Beyond the immense work we know we have cut out for us, I’m very excited to take on a new region and all the endless possibilities that come with it.”
Ayeni Adekunle, the CEO of BHM, expressed, “ID Africa’s continental growth, along with BHM’s allied and strategic operations in Europe and America, is part of our long-term vision to build Africa’s first global integrated communications network.”
Femi Falodun added to this sentiment, stating, “ID Africa is invested in providing best-in-class communications strategies for Africa’s businesses, companies, and governments. We understand Africa and we are focused on gathering data and insights into the various markets that can enable us to provide the solutions that our clients need across the continent.” These comments underscore the organizations’ commitment to expanding their reach and providing comprehensive communication solutions on a global scale.
In addition to offering corporate and brand communications services to major brands in media, technology, financial services, nonprofit, and FMCG sectors, ID Africa is the umbrella for several influential digital media platforms in Nigeria.
Notable among them are Netng, Neusroom, and 234Star, recognized as some of the country’s leading platforms with a focus on youth and popular culture.
Furthermore, ID Africa organizes the annual NECLive, which stands as Africa’s largest assembly of entertainment and creative industry professionals. This conference holds the distinction of being the longest-running event of its kind in the region, showcasing ID Africa’s commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the entertainment and creative sectors.
