After 20 years of hosting the Lagos Ideas Festival, Laif awards as a Pan-Nigeria and later Pan-West Africa event, the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, organisers of the yearly programme is moving to position it as a globally respected benchmark for creative excellence.

Lanre Adisa, President of AAAN, told journalists in Lagos that LAIF will be comparable to international award bodies such as Loeries, African Cristal, and Pitchers.

While unveiling the kick-off of the 21st edition of LAIF with the theme “From Glitch to Great”, a new leadership that will drive the programme was also announced.

The new leadership is headed by Funke Adekola as President. Others are Jumoke Akinyele, Vice President; Victor Oyaroro; Tobi Williams; Rotimi Ade-Onajobi; Toheeb Balogun; and Anne Obaseki. Meksley Nwagboh; Segun Akinyemiju; Sandra Amachree; Israel Obatunde; Olabisi Olusanya; and Jonathan Oyovwevotu.

Adisa described the theme, “From Glitch to Great,” as not just a slogan but a powerful reminder that the path to greatness is rarely perfect.

“Every great idea faces obstacles. Every creative breakthrough is preceded by moments of doubt, disruption, experimentation, and even glitches. What distinguishes great creators is not the absence of challenges but the courage and resilience to learn, adapt, and keep creating. In many ways, it is the natural progression from grit through the inevitable glitches to greatness. That is the story of LAIF, and indeed, the story of creativity itself,” he said.

“That journey from glitch to great, from local acclaim to global relevance, will demand more from all of us: more originality, more craft, more innovation, and more courage to create ideas that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best in the world,” he said.

In her remarks, the newly elected President of the LAIF Management Board, Funke Adekola, stated that the new board is committed to building on the previous board’s key learnings and structural momentum and to creating a festival that truly reflects where the industry has moved, as well as a governance structure that mirrors the modern creative economy.

Adekola stated that the new leadership will drive LAIF not only to establish itself as the champion of creative advertising but also as the ultimate benchmark for total business and cultural impact. She explained that the team is determined to position LAIF as the launchpad for the next operating system for African creativity, not just celebrating excellence but catalysing the future.