African marketing professionals initiate pan-African marketing group

National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) has started discussions with African Marketing Confederation (AMC) based in South Africa that will lead to a formidable pan-African marketing group.

The initiative for a central marketing body in the continent with one representative from regional blocs is hatched as Africa opens up for businesses, which is becoming very key to global economy with dynamic business environment.

The initiators also believe that “bringing together the African marketing associations under one umbrella body will enable them exchange ideas, knowledge and research and have a central hub for networking and discussion.

At a meeting last week in Lagos between NIMN leadership and representatives from AMC, Ganiyu Koledoye, acting president/chairman, governing council of NIMN, said the interaction with AMC centred on how to move marketing beyond domestic level. “The collaboration will promote marketing practice in Nigeria and bring it to global standards.”

According to Koledoye, the Nigerian marketing has its challenges but believed that the collaboration will assist Nigerian marketers and other African countries. “In the next few days, we will discuss various challenges in the industry and try to find solutions to them. We will meet the National University Commission among other relevant bodies to develop marketing as a whole.

“The representatives of NABTEC, ministry of education and other relevant bodies will be involved in the discussion on how to ensure the success of the pan-African body. We have discussed the issues and I was assured that if proper presentation is made to the ministry, it will be accepted well. We have initiated that discussion recently and the representative of NUC is taking that up. We want more people in the university and polytechnic to subscribe to this initiative. Although AMC is for professionals, it will be an umbrella body for all professional bodies in Africa. Being a member of AMC, Nigerian professional can pursue a professional course with AMC, which will also be on every certificate awarded by NIMN,” Koledoye said.