Damilola Dania, Senior Marketing Executive at Unilever Nigeria, was named the 2025 Forty Under 40 Global Award Winner for Brand and Business Strategy at an international ceremony held in Dubai. The prestigious recognition highlights her exceptional leadership in driving business transformation, crafting culturally intelligent brand strategies, and creating lasting commercial impact in one of Africa’s most dynamic markets.

Themed “Connecting Global Champions,” the Forty Under 40 Awards recognized 40 high-performing business leaders from 17 countries. The event honored individuals who challenge norms and lead change in industries worldwide. Damilola’s award celebrates her remarkable ability to blend data, creativity, and cultural insight to redefine brand marketing on the global stage.

"This award is a powerful validation of what we’ve always known in Africa, that our strategies, insights, and innovations are world-class," said Damilola Dania in her acceptance speech. “It’s more than recognition; it’s a call to continue leading, inspiring, and building narratives that matter for people, communities, and commerce."

Transforming Business at Unilever Nigeria

At Unilever Nigeria, Damilola Dania leads the company’s largest revenue-generating category. She has developed innovative marketing models that seamlessly integrate purpose with performance, accelerating growth for iconic consumer brands. Her campaigns have not only driven business success but have also had a positive societal impact, further establishing her as a leader in the industry.

Known as "The African Marketeer", Damilola advocates for a marketing approach grounded in African cultural realities. Her work challenges traditional marketing tactics, creating strategies that resonate deeply with local communities while addressing global market demands.

A Global Network of Award-Winning Leaders

Damilola joins an elite group of innovators and thought leaders in the 2025 cohort of Forty Under 40 Global Award winners, including:

• Nenne Adaora Nwodo (UK/Nigeria): Tech innovator and founder of NexaScale, advancing access to tech education.

• Jubril Arogundade (Nigeria): Executive Director at CIG Motors, transforming Nigeria’s automobile and retail sectors.

• Jamie Thurston Wyngaard (South Africa): Co-founder of Loop and CXO at Feenix.org, leading mobility tech and financial inclusion efforts.

• Ayodeji Razaq (Nigeria): CEO of RED and co-founder of The People Company, driving integrated marketing and cultural strategy across Africa.

• James Ryan (UK): Founder of InfraRec Ltd, advancing global clean energy recruitment.

• Ali Al Loughani (UAE): Innovator connecting government policy, private sector, and education reform.

• Crystal Squires (Australia): Impact investor championing women-led startups and sustainability initiatives across Asia-Pacific.

Setting the Standard for Modern Brand Leadership

Damilola’s recognition at the Forty Under 40 Global Awards underscores the rising influence of African brand thinkers who combine authenticity, commercial strategy, and cultural insight. Her work not only sets the tone for the future of marketing in emerging markets but also exemplifies the potential for leadership to drive both business and social progress.

The award ceremony, held at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Business Bay, Dubai, also featured networking tours, leadership workshops, and global idea exchange sessions, further cementing the 2025 cohort as future global business leaders.