dedicates award to African Brand strategists
Raheem Akingbolu
In a moment that marks both personal achievement and a wider recognition of African excellence, Category Manager for Nutrition at Unilever West Africa, Dami Dania, has been named a global winner in the Brand and Business Strategy category of the prestigious Forty Under 40 Awards held in Dubai, in recognition of her work shaping consumer brands across African markets.
The awards, which spotlights rising leaders around the world, celebrated Dania for her impact in building purposeful, insight-led strategies that deliver both commercial success and cultural relevance.
Reacting to the news, Dania described the honour as a humbling personal milestone but, more importantly, as a symbol of shifting perceptions. “It is more than just an award. It represents a moment where African perspectives in brand building and business strategy are no longer overlooked — they are leading the global conversation,” she said in a statement.
Since joining Unilever Nigeria, Dania has focused on creating strategies that resonate deeply with consumers. She attributes her success to a blend of creativity, structure, and cultural sensitivity. “I have always believed in work that connects with people, not just on a product level, but emotionally and contextually. Over time, I learned how to bring instinct together with discipline and creativity with consistency,” she noted.
Dania also acknowledged the unique challenges faced by African professionals in the field while also using the opportunity to dedicate the win to other African brand builders working behind the scenes.. “There is often the added pressure of proving yourself — of showing that your insights, your voice, and your ideas can lead globally,” she said. “But time and again, we have shown that not only are we capable, we are also driving change and shaping narratives.”
“This is for the strategist scribbling ideas on scraps of paper, the planner navigating tough budgets, the creative trying to make every message count. Your work matters,” she said.
She also expressed gratitude to Unilever for fostering an environment that allows creativity and leadership to grow. “The space to learn, try, fail, and get better is something I do not take for granted,” she added.
Since 2017, the Forty Under 40 Global Awards have recognised emerging leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors, covering categories such as finance, energy, agriculture, arts, media, fashion, health, technology, and beyond. With this recognition, Dania joins a growing list of African professionals gaining global attention for redefining business strategies in a way that is grounded, bold, and effective.
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