Cape town: Advertising practitioner and Chairman of Troyka Holdings, Dr. Biodun Shobanjo, has been inducted into the Loeries Hall of Fame, marking him as the first West African to be awarded this prestigious honor since the award’s inception in 2008.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the induction was announced at the 47th annual Loeries Awards ceremony, which took place on Friday night in Cape Town, South Africa. The award acknowledges Shobanjo’s leadership and significant contributions to marketing communications, as well as his role in building Troyka Group, a major creative and business entity in Africa.
The Loeries Awards are esteemed as Africa and the Middle East’s leading platform for recognizing excellence, innovation, and creativity in brand communication. The Loeries Hall of Fame represents the organization’s highest individual accolade, designated for leaders who have dedicated their careers to advancing professionalism and creativity in the marketing communications industry.
Shobanjo is the 16th recipient of this honor, joining a prestigious group that includes notable figures such as Dani Richa, Chairman and CEO of BBDO EMEA, and John Hunt, Worldwide Creative Director at TBWA/Worldwide. With a career spanning over four decades, Shobanjo has been a pivotal figure in the African marketing communications sector.
As Chairman of Troyka Holdings, which encompasses Insight Publicis, Leo Burnett, Starcom Media Perspectives, and several other agencies, Shobanjo has spearheaded a transformation in creativity, strategy, and professionalism in West Africa. Under his guidance, Troyka has grown from a local enterprise to a globally connected network through a partnership with Publicis Groupe, the world’s largest marketing communications conglomerate.
The group’s agencies have garnered multiple international awards and have been recognized for their creativity and strategic excellence. Known as the ‘Father of Modern Advertising in Nigeria,’ Shobanjo is also celebrated for his dedication to talent development and mentorship, shaping future generations of marketing communications professionals.
In 2022, Shobanjo was awarded the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) national honor by former President Muhammadu Buhari, recognizing his contributions to national development. Established in 1978, the Loeries continues to be Africa and the Middle East’s most prestigious award body focused on creative excellence in brand communication.
Through its Hall of Fame, introduced in 2008, the organization celebrates individuals whose leadership and work have left a lasting impact on the industry through innovation and mentorship. Shobanjo’s induction represents a significant milestone for West Africa and highlights Nigeria’s growing influence in the global creative economy.
The Troyka Group remains at the forefront of marketing, communications, and security management through its specialized agencies, which offer integrated services across advertising, public relations, digital strategy, media planning, and experiential marketing. The group is recognized for its creative excellence, strategic depth, and commitment to nurturing young African talent.