top of page

All Faculty Members | About YPA  

Alistair King, 2021 Pitcher Awards Heritage Jury President

Emeka Obia

Regional Head of Strategy, CWAR - Publicis West Africa

Session Leader

About

Emeka

Once described as a “human Swiss army knife,” Emeka is an award-winning integrated strategist known for solving complex business challenges and creating growth-focused strategies. He builds purpose-driven campaigns, platforms, and experiences that connect brands meaningfully to culture and deliver measurable impact. He works with established market leaders, bold challengers, and emerging brands to turn ambition into results.
He has led strategy across FMCG, banking, insurance, tobacco, healthcare, non-profit, and VOD, partnering with brands such as Nestlé, MTN, VISA, PepsiCo, Prime Video, Spotify, Heineken, and Nivea. Emeka combines sharp analysis with creative thinking, integrating brand strategy, storytelling, digital and content planning, and human-centered experience design to deliver both commercial growth and cultural relevance.
Beyond his professional work, Emeka is committed to developing the next generation of leaders. He serves as faculty at the Executive Programme in Advertising at Pan-Atlantic University, mentors globally at institutions including the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and African Leadership University, Mauritius, and sits on the Advisory Board of the African Leadership Academy’s Student Enterprise Program in South Africa, where he provides strategic oversight, governance guidance, and mentorship to support sustainable, youth-led innovation.
In 2018, Trendwatching named him Africa’s number one trend spotter, and in 2025 he was awarded Africa’s Young Adman of the Year at the Industry Awards.

bottom of page