Ecobank's Austen Osokpor Honored as Media Manager of the Year by Champion Newspapers
In a prestigious ceremony held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos over the weekend, Mr. Austen Osokpor, the Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Ecobank Nigeria, was awarded the Media Manager of the Year title at the Champion Newspapers' 2025 Awards. This accolade underscores his remarkable dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to advancing journalistic excellence within Nigeria's dynamic media landscape.
Recognition of Excellence and Leadership
The award was presented by High Chief Dr. Sir. Darlington Nwabunike, Managing Director of Saint Buniks Group, who lauded Osokpor for his steadfast support of the journalism profession and his instrumental initiatives that have significantly contributed to the growth and enhanced reputation of Ecobank Nigeria. Osokpor's achievement serves as a powerful testament to his outstanding work in media management, where he has adeptly navigated the rapidly evolving terrains of media, technology, and national discourse with remarkable strength and strategic foresight.
His exceptional leadership and refined communication skills have played a pivotal role in elevating Ecobank's brand image, fostering stakeholder confidence, and driving market penetration. This recognition also reflects the high standards of excellence and professionalism that Champion Newspapers consistently strives to uphold, highlighting Osokpor's dedication to transparency, effective communication, and industry-wide respect.
Ceremony Highlights and Broader Impact
The award ceremony attracted a distinguished gathering of prominent Nigerians, including former Governors Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, who commended Champion Newspapers for its resilience and commitment to responsible journalism. Among the other awardees were notable entities such as Zenith Bank Plc, Globus Bank Limited, Access Bank Plc, Moniepoint MFB, DLM Capital Group, Cornerstone Insurance, Heirs Energies, Prestige Insurance Brokers Limited, Nigerian Ports Authority, and state governors Dr. Peter Mbah of Enugu and Prof Babagana Zulum of Borno.
Dr. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, Group Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Champion Newspapers, emphasized that the awards focus on exemplary leadership, integrity, innovation, and service across various sectors, reinforcing the importance of these values in driving national progress.
Osokpor's Professional Background and Achievements
A seasoned communications and brand strategist with over two decades of professional experience, Austen Osokpor has built a distinguished career spanning corporate communications, media management, and reputation leadership. Since joining Ecobank in 2008, he has been responsible for leading the execution of the Group's communications strategy in Nigeria, with a strong emphasis on brand positioning, stakeholder engagement, crisis preparedness, and corporate reputation management.
One of his most notable achievements includes playing a pivotal leadership role in managing communications during the business combination between the former Oceanic Bank International Plc and Ecobank Nigeria. He developed and executed a comprehensive media strategy that ensured seamless integration and sustained positive public perception throughout one of the largest consolidations in Nigeria's banking sector.
Prior to his tenure at Ecobank, Osokpor held senior editorial positions at DBN and Silverbird Television in Lagos, bringing invaluable media insight and strategic storytelling expertise into corporate leadership. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Media and Communications from the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos and is currently a doctoral candidate at Babcock University in Ogun State, with research focused on Public Relations and Advertising.
Additionally, he has completed executive education programs at the Lagos Business School (LBS) and other leading institutions, specializing in strategic communications, crisis management, and finance for non-finance executives. Osokpor is an active member of professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Advertisers Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), further cementing his standing as a leader in the field.
