Top 50 Brands seeks to position local products among top 20 globally

As part of effort aimed at enhancing the value of the Nigerian brand towards achieving top 20 brands globally, Top 50 Nigeria held the fifth edition in Lagos last weekend where it honoured companies like Dangote, Globacom, Julius Berger, Chi Limited among others. Notable personalities such as Peoples Democratic Party PDP Gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, Mr Jimi Agbaje, and celebrated comedian, Ali Baba, who was a recipient of an award, were in attendance.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Taiwo Oluboyede, stated that the Top 50 Brands, #IAMBRANDNIGERIA initiative was a private sector-driven towards enhancing the value of the Nigeria brand, a clarion call to 190 million stakeholders of the brand for open endorsement and enhanced association that use the stories of tenacity, resilience and the entrepreneurial spirit of many individuals and corporate brands that have been able to achieve success against all odds as a positive and better narrative to enhance brand Nigeria.

He said, “This is called the Nigeria spirit. It is what made people like Alibaba who was once homeless, living on the Barbeach with only two pairs of clothes as his property, trekking long distances for TV appearances. But today, he is a master of an industry with many protégés who are now masters on their own.”
 
Speaking further, Oluboyede noted that he was particularly happy that Nigerian brands were coming up strong in the annual rating, having better understanding of the consumers needs and engaging every opportunity with better brand proposition. So, for the first time since 2013, a proudly Nigerian brand topped the top 50 Table. Also, six among the top ten are Nigerian.

According to him, other top ten brands to watch are Andela, Daraju, Coronation Merchant Bank, Big Cola,Slot.ng, Eko Atlantic, Mall for Africa, Masters Energy, Payporte, Konga.com. Specifically, he stated that Eko Atlantic City turned a once troubling ocean surge into a record breaking smartcity such that has placed the Nigerian name in the global map for the right reasons, including the Great Wall of Lagos that is now protecting Victoria Island and some part of Ikoyi from Ocean surge. He noted that there are possibilities all around from the so many opportunities nature bestows on Nigeria.

In his speech, Mr Agbaje, who was also a special guest of honour, noted “We can all develop ourselves into a brand. Branding cannot only be in terms of products but also individuals or countries. For me, brand is all about character. A product has its own character just like individuals or countries.”

Prizes of N500, 000, N300, 000 and N100, 000, for first, second and third winners respectively were given to winners of the creative contest. Glo Yakata emerged winner of the innovative product of the year. Segun Awosanya won Youth Influencer of the Year. Konga won Brand Nigeria New Initiative. Dangote won Company of the Year for emerging top in the Top 50 Award. Other brands in the top 10 categories are: Coca Cola, AXA Mansard, Shoprite, Punch Nigeria Limited, Friesland Campina, and Heritage Bank.