Business and Brand
“Nobody Has Held Down Detty December Like Pepsi” – Bizzle Osikoya
December in Lagos never arrives quietly. It announces itself with traffic that refuses to move,music that refuses to stop, and nights that stretch well into the next morning. Long beforethe phrase “Detty December” entered popular vocabulary, Nigerians already understoodDecember as a season of movement, return, and release. And for many of those moments,consciously or not, Pepsi has been there.From street parties to headline concerts, from DJ-led nights to block parties that reshapedurban culture, Pepsi has woven itself into the rhythm of December in Nigeria. Not as a guest,but as part of the fabric.Players within the entertainment ecosystem confirm Pepsi as the ultimate partner if anymassive concerts would be a hit. “Every major event in December, every major activity, [withthe Afrobeat…] big three,” says entertainment executive Bizzle Osikoya. “There’s no big eventin December that Pepsi wasn’t part of.”For DJs who sit at the heartbeat of nightlife culture, Pepsi’s presence has always feltintentional. DJ Obi recalls how the brand showed up when it mattered most. “The very firstDecember we did Obi’s House, Pepsi was the only brand that supported us. Pepsieverywhere. That meant something.”That support went beyond logos. Pepsi was one of the earliest brands to recognise DJs not asbackground facilitators but as cultural tastemakers. By placing DJs on bottles, stages andcentre of platforms, the brand acknowledged their role as curators of sound, mood andMemoryMedia personality Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi captures it perfectly. “Pepsi is part of the culturalDNA. It’s like rice and stew. It’s already there.”Even behind the scenes, Pepsi played a role in shaping how December was experienced.Toolz recalls how early access to Pepsi-backed event calendars helped people plan theirentire season. “You could plan your day, your week, your outfit, everything.”Over the years, the brand’s consistency has made its presence feel almost instinctive.Whether it’s Mainland Block Party, Obi’s House, DJ led events or large-scale concerts, Pepsididn’t just follow the culture. It helped sustain it.As the new year sets in and the noise of December fades, one thing remains clear. Pepsi didnot arrive when Detty December became cool. It was there while it was still becoming.
Business and Brand
MAGGI Unveils Qing Madi as the Face of “Me & MAGGI, So Good Together” Campaign
MAGGI has unveiled rising music sensation Qing Madi as the face of its latest campaign, “Me & MAGGI, So Good Together,” marking a bold step in the brand’s journey to deepen its connection with a new generation of Nigerians.The unveiling, held at Nestlé Nigeria’s Head Office in Lagos, signals an evolution in how MAGGI shows up in the lives of younger consumers, not just as a trusted kitchen staple, but as part of the moments, emotions, and shared experiences that define today’s culture.Today’s generation doesn’t just eat, they create, remix, and share. From quick meals to content moments, food has become a powerful form of self-expression, and Gen Z continues to redefine it as culture. For MAGGI, this evolution is both familiar and exciting.Building on the success of its “Taste of Christmas” campaign which blended food, music, and emotion, MAGGI continues to evolve its storytelling to reflect how people connect today: through shared experiences that feel real, personal, and culturally relevant.Speaking at the unveiling, Funmi Osineye, Category Manager, Culinary/MAGGI, Nestlé Nigeria, said: “Food is evolving, and so are the ways people connect with it. Today, it’s not just about cooking; it’s about expression, vibes, and identity. A new generation is turning everyday meals into moments they create, remix, and share. MAGGI has always been part of that journey; from our parents’ kitchens to our own quick meals, and now as part of the culture shaping everyday creativity. As we tell this new story, it was important to partner with a voice that truly represents this generation. Qing Madi brings that authenticity, her world, her sound, and her connection with young people make her a natural fit for MAGGI today.”At the heart of the campaign is a simple idea: the best moments often happen in the most familiar places, around food, with people who matter. Through “Me & MAGGI: So Good Together,” the brand captures these moments in a way that is relatable, expressive, and culturally resonant.Sharing her excitement about the collaboration, Qing Madi said: “This partnership means a lot to me, not just personally, but for my generation. We’re expressing ourselves in new ways, even through things like food and cooking, not because we have to, but because we enjoy it. Being part of a campaign like this and seeing a brand like MAGGI create space for that, feels really special. I’m excited to be part of something that reflects who we are and how we connect today.”To bring the campaign to life, the unveiling event was designed as an intimate watch party, a relaxed, at-home experience inspired by Qing Madi’s world. Guests, including close friends, media and lifestyle influencers, stepped into a space where food, music, and culture came together seamlessly.The experience featured three immersive zones; a Content Tunnel, a Music and Culture Lounge, and a Photo Studio, each designed to reflect how young people create, connect, and share moments today.With this campaign, MAGGI continues to build on its legacy while embracing new expressions of culture, ensuring it remains a brand that resonates across generations, familiar, yet evolving with the times.
Business and Brand
Interswitch Honoured with Digital Finance Excellence Award at APWBN Marquee Event 2026
L-R; Rafiat Onitiri, Chief Host, Association of Professional Women Bankers Nigeria; Oremeyi Akah, Chief Customer Officer, Interswitch Group; and Funmi Ekundayo, MD, STL Trustees as Interswitch receives the Digital Finance Excellence Award at the Association of Professional Women Bankers Marquee Event held at Civic Centre, Lagos.
Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, has been honoured with the Digital Finance Excellence Award by the Association of Professional Women Bankers Nigeria (APWBN). The award was presented at the prestigious APWBN Marquee Event held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event, themed ‘Redefining Power – Women Shaping the Future of Finance,’ brought together top industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore the evolving role of women in driving financial transformation. Representing Interswitch at the event, Oremeyi Akah, Chief Customer Experience Officer, received the award on behalf of the company and participated as a panelist, contributing valuable insights on customer-centric innovation, digital transformation, and the importance of inclusive leadership in shaping the future of finance. Speaking on the recognition, Cherry Eromosele, the Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications at Interswitch said:“This award is a testament to Interswitch’s unwavering commitment to advancing digital finance and delivering impactful, customer-focused solutions across Africa. We are particularly honoured to be recognised by APWBN, an organisation championing the advancement of women in the banking and financial services sector. At Interswitch, we believe that inclusion and innovation go hand in hand in building a sustainable financial ecosystem.” The Digital Finance Excellence Award recognises organisations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact in leveraging technology to transform financial services and drive financial inclusion. This recognition further reinforces Interswitch’s position as a trailblazer in digital finance and its commitment to driving growth, innovation, and inclusion across the continent. The APWBN Marquee Event 2026 featured an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers and industry leaders who shared perspectives on the future of finance in a rapidly evolving global economy and the evolving role of women in shaping the future of finance, with a strong focus on innovation, leadership, and inclusion. Speaking during the panel session, Oremeyi Akah highlighted the importance of customer-centric innovation in building resilient financial ecosystems and emphasised the critical role women continue to play in driving transformation across the sector. Interswitch continues to play a pivotal role in Africa’s digital payments landscape, providing secure, reliable, and innovative solutions that empower individuals, businesses, and governments.
Business and Brand
Interswitch Awards ₦10 Million to Winners of Technovation 4.0 Hackathon
Interswitch, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, has successfully concluded the Grand Finale of its Technovation 4.0 Hackathon, awarding a total of ₦10 million in cash prizes to top teams whose innovative solutions stood out during the rigorous multiple phases of the competition. The one-day finale event, which took place on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Interswitch Innovation Lab and Co-Working Space, brought together employees, senior leaders, judges, and key stakeholders to celebrate months of ideation, experimentation, and product development under the theme ‘The Wicked Hackathon’. At the close of the highly competitive session, Team Quickteller Fashion emerged as the overall winner, securing the grand prize of ₦4,000,000 for a solution that impressed judges with its originality, practicality, and strong strategic relevance. Team Kampe claimed second position with ₦2,500,000, while Team Stable placed third, receiving ₦1,500,000. Up to N300,000 worth of cash prizes were also awarded to the 4th, 5th and 6th qualifying teams. Now in its fourth edition, Technovation has evolved into a flagship internal innovation platform for Interswitch since its inception in 2022, empowering employees to tackle complex organisational and industry challenges by developing scalable technology solutions aligned with the company’s strategic priorities. Speaking at the event, Adaobi Okerekeocha, Chief Innovation Officer, Interswitch, highlighted the significance of the programme in strengthening the company’s innovation culture.“Technovation continues to reflect who we are as an organisation, bold, forward-thinking, and deeply committed to building impactful solutions from within. Over the years, we have seen ideas conceived during this programme evolve into meaningful capabilities that strengthen our ecosystem. The passion, discipline, and ingenuity demonstrated by our teams this year reinforce our belief in the power of African innovation to solve complex challenges and shape the future of technology on the continent,” Eromosele said. For nine months, cross-functional teams from across the organisation collaborated to conceptualise, validate, develop, and refine solutions, moving from raw ideas to minimum viable products (MVPs) with ready-to-market potential and deployment across the business. The atmosphere at the Grand Finale reflected that of preparation and anticipation as the top 9 teams presented their innovations through live demonstrations and detailed pitches, fielding questions from a distinguished panel of judges before the top 3 winners were selected. Each presentation highlighted rigorous validation processes, thoughtful market considerations, and a strong emphasis on measurable impact. While many of the solutions remain confidential due to their strategic relevance, the diversity and depth of ideas showcased during the Hackathon’s Grand Finale underscored the organisation’s growing culture of intrapreneurship and structured innovation. The projects illustrated how technology-driven thinking can unlock efficiencies, strengthen operational capabilities, and open new pathways for growth across the digital payments and commerce ecosystem. Beyond the competition itself, Technovation reinforces Interswitch’s long-term commitment to nurturing internal talent, encouraging experimentation, and creating a structured pipeline for transforming ideas into tangible business outcomes. As the fourth edition draws to a close, the programme stands as a testament to Interswitch’s ongoing investment in people, innovation, and the future of Africa’s digital economy.
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