Pitcher Awards
Israel
Opayemi
MD/Chief Strategist, Chain Reactions Africa Ltd, Lagos
Culture Jury President
About
Israel
Israel Jaiye Opayemi, fnipr
MD/Chief Strategist
Chain Reactions Africa
Opayemi holds a B.A (Hons) Degree in Philosophy and Master’s Degree in Political Science both from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He began his career upon the completion of his University education as a freelance Copy Writer and Speech Writer outsourcing his services to a number of agencies, medium-sized corporate organisations and public sector clients. He was head-hunted to serve as Chief Press Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor and a Special Assistant on Public Affairs in the Office of the Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria with responsibility for Public Affairs Strategy Development and Public Communication including Speech Writing from 2002 to 2007.
Opayemi later left the Lagos State Governor’s Office in Nigeria upon the completion of administration’s term to become the founding CEO, Image Savvy Limited, a Media and Public Affairs Consulting firm in 2007; pioneer Managing Director, Wisdom Keys Group Nigeria (2008 – 2010); MD/Chief Strategist, Chain Reactions Africa, March 2010 to date. In the year 2016, Chain Reactions Affiliate, under his leadership became the Nigerian Affiliate and West Africa’s Preferred Partner to Edelman, the world’s largest Public Relations firm. In March 2022, Israel Opayemi led Chain Reactions Africa to make a new positioning declaration, “It’s Time for Africa”, announcing its new status as an independent full-service Public Relations and Integrated Communications Consulting firm poised to help local and International clients understand the nuanced market of Africa and the continent’s unique people.
A consummate Strategist and Master Story teller, Opayemi has served as External Public Relations Consultant to a number of high-level public sector clients such as the Federal Government of Nigeria, State Governments, Governors and Ministers in Nigeria. As the MD/Chief Strategist for Chain Reactions Africa, he has also served as Lead Consultant to several high-profile past and present clients and corporate brands including, Facebook (now Meta), HP, Reckitt, Vital Voices, ONE Campaign, 9mobile, First Bank of Nigeria, Polaris Bank, Nigeria, Dubai Tourism, Motorola Solutions, World Bank and most recently Indomie Instant Noodles amongst others.
He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and currently serves as the President of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN).