Brands/Products
FCMB: When TVC Becomes a United Force
The recently unveiled campaign of the FCMB Group is a subtle attempt by the bank to play up the place of unity and team work in human activities. A reflection on the television commercial shows the patriotic zeal exhibited by the promoters of the financial institution.
Yes, it speaks to the essence of the bank on “The Power of the People”, but it achieves more than that because it has a tone of social responsibility. It evokes strong feelings and speaks to both the bank’s patrons as well as Nigerians at large.
The campaign captures the essence of team work and what can be achieved through a united force. For a diverse society like Nigeria, the TVC is a clarion call on each and every member of the society to work together to achieve their goals. In a way, there’s a lesson for customers of the bank and there are lessons for both leaders and the lead.
In another development, it can be viewed as a bold and audacious move, that reinforces the FCMB Initial Public Offering (IPO). At the heart of this campaign is a powerful 60-second TV commercial that eloquently captures the essence of unity and collective strength—highlighting the diverse entities that make up the FCMB Group.
As Nigerian banks navigate the ongoing recapitalisation race, this campaign could serve as a strategic advantage for FCMB. The Nigerian banking sector has been relatively subdued in recent years, but this creative push could mark the beginning of a resurgence—rekindling the era of engaging and memorable bank advertising.
Unity as a core message
Shot on location across Lagos, Abuja, and the breathtaking Mambilla Plateau, the TVC doesn’t just tell a story about financial strength; it inadvertently celebrates Nigeria itself. Each frame showcases the nation’s diversity, natural beauty, and the power of unity—subtly reinforcing the message that, just like FCMB’s group of companies, Nigeria thrives when its diverse elements come together as one.
The seamless transition of scenes, integrated with crisp visual metaphors, creates an immersive experience. The ad’s emotional resonance is heightened by a pulsating soundtrack composed by the legendary Cobhams Asuquo and the captivating narration of Laila Johnson-Salami. The combination of sound and visuals pulls viewers into the heart of the message—emphasizing strength through unity.
Women inclusivity
A standout element is the choice of a female voice-over—a deliberate and poignant creative decision. The campaign launched just two days after this year’s International Women’s Day, subtly paying homage to the vital role women play within FCMB and in the larger socio-economic landscape. The choice of Laila Johnson-Salami’s voice lends warmth, authority, and inclusiveness to the message, underscoring that women are not just contributors but key drivers of FCMB’s success story.
Element of collaboration
Conceptualized and executed by X3M Ideas, Africa’s leading creative powerhouse, in close partnership with the FCMB team, the campaign is a testament to the power of collaboration. It reflects the very essence of its message—that teamwork makes the dream work. The synergy between agency and client has resulted in a commercial that is not just a brand message but a cultural statement.
Succinctly speaking, FCMB’s new TVC does more than promote a brand; it promotes a vision of collective strength, national pride, and the power of unity. It is a bold reminder that when diverse forces come together, whether in banking or nation-building, they create something greater than the sum of their parts.
General appraisal
The essence of modern day advertising campaigns are not just to inform, educate and sell a product or even stimulate the desire to purchase. Of course, getting products off the shelf is the primary aim of any marketing campaign. It is also to break consumers’ resistance in an economic environment like Nigeria’s where the purchasing power is frustratingly low.
But it is getting deeper than that. Some advertising campaign materials are now designed to stimulate critical thinking and assessment which takes the receiver of such advertising messages to look beyond WHAT is being sold to HOW it is being sold.
There have been advertising campaign materials in recent times, but the one from the FCMB Group stands out. Not just in content, but in the underlying message as it relates to the essence of the brand that is being sold. The materials look beyond the Group’s well known banking footprints to unveil the varied deep expertise and value creation capabilities in its ecosystem across investment banking, investment management, and consumer finance that has ensured its market success.
The core message
The advert rhetorically asks if what thrills is the chord of a solo drummer or the symphony of the orchestra. Of course, the orchestra involves more than one performer. It also pricks the viewer’s imagination by inquiring if what makes a sports team thick is the brilliance of one player of the team effort that usually gets them over the line.
It does not end there. It also invokes rumination on whether what impresses the audience is the dancing and artistic talent of a solo dancer or the rhythmic and artistic precision of a troupe.
The message is that FCMB Group should not just be looked at as just delivering banking services. It is more than a bank. The Group is an integrated financial services provider that is connecting people with capital and markets and building a desirable future for Nigerians.
All these go beyond mere banking services to financial inclusion, capital raising (debt and equity), wealth management, estate management and more. The operating companies that make up the Group leverage its power to render a holistic service that transcends traditional banking. It is the power of the whole over the dexterity of just one entity no matter how good it is.
In the campaign, FCMB captures the enduring legacy of rendering seamless integrated financial services (a one stop shop concept) and it also invokes the power of its evolution over the years which have taken it beyond its investment banking heritage.
The team that conceptualised this campaign material deserves some accolades. If the battle is for the soul of the consumer in an extremely competitive industry like financial services, then the new campaign is sure to resonate with consumers and cement further emotional connection to the FCMB brand from its existing consumers and also draw would-be ones to the brand. And if this is achieved, then one can safely say an advertising campaign has been a resounding success.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Woodrow has been named Africa Agency of the Year 2026 by PRovoke Media, one of the world’s leading authorities on the communications industry.
The award recognises Woodrow’s rapid growth across the continent and its work supporting clients navigating some of Africa’s most complex communication, policy, reputation and stakeholder challenges.
In announcing the award, PRovoke Media described Woodrow as “a different kind of communications firm for Africa. Built locally, but operating across borders, with a focus on high-stakes, high-complexity mandates that reflect the realities of the continent’s political and economic landscape.”
Founded five years ago by Mr Charlie Tarr, who has spent more than two decades working across African markets advising various organisations, Woodrow has grown from its Nairobi headquarters into a multi-market African consultancy. It now has teams and partners across Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Senegal and South Africa, delivering work across 13 countries.
Since 2024, Woodrow has more than doubled revenue, expanded delivery across more African markets and supported assignments that have generated global audiences exceeding 70 million people in multiple markets.
Speaking on the recognition, Mr Charlie Tarr, Founder and CEO of Woodrow Communications, said, “When we started Woodrow, we believed Africa deserved communications advice built for Africa’s realities, not imported templates. This recognition is a testament to our people, our clients and our belief that world-class strategic communications can be built from the continent and compete with the very best anywhere in the world. This feels more like a beginning than an arrival.”
Adding his input, Mr David Karega, Head of East and Southern Africa, added, “This award belongs to the team and the clients who have trusted us with some of their most important moments. From major launches and investment announcements to reputation management, policy engagement and crisis situations, we have had the privilege of helping them achieve influence. It shows that globally recognised PR excellence can be built from Nairobi and delivered across Africa.”
Woodrow’s growth has been driven by its local-first operating model, combining deep in-market expertise with regional coordination and strategic advisory support. It supports organisations such as AGRA, Bupa Global, BIC and a range of international foundations, investors and development institutions working across Africa.
Looking ahead, Woodrow is investing in new capabilities around digital influence, audience intelligence and integrated stakeholder engagement to help clients navigate the media landscape in Africa.
“Africa has never been a side conversation for us,” Mr Tarr added, “It sits at the centre of our work and future. The continent is producing some of the world’s most important opportunities in technology, investment, food systems, climate and economic transformation. We are excited to continue helping clients shape those conversations, build influence and contribute to Africa’s growth.”
SportyTV has been added to select DStv and GOtv packages in Nigeria, expanding the sports content available to subscribers. The 24-hour sports channel offers a range of live sporting events alongside news, analyses, highlights and is available to DStv Yanga and GOtv Jolli customers. The channel is also available on GOtv in Kenya and Ghana.
The addition of SportyTV complements the existing sports offering on DStv and GOtv, providing subscribers with access to additional football, basketball and combat sports content.
“SportyTV is a valuable addition to the DStv Access and GOtv Value content offering across Africa,” said David Mignot, CEO of CANAL+ Africa. “It expands the range of sporting events available to customers at an accessible price point and reflects our commitment to making quality sports content available to audiences across the continent.”
Sudeep Ramnani, Founder and CEO of Sporty Group, said: “Our ambition has always been to provide African audiences with broad access to sports content and storytelling. Through this partnership with CANAL+, we are extending that offering to more households across the continent.”
“The SportyTV channel gives DStv and GOtv subscribers additional viewing options that complement SuperSport’s existing range of sports programming,” said Rendani Ramovha, Director of Sport Content for English and Portuguese-speaking Africa at CANAL+. “It broadens the overall sports proposition with additional live events and supporting content.”
SportyTV’s football schedule includes competitions such as the English Premier League, Carabao Cup, EFL Championship, Women’s FA Cup, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and the Spanish Super Cup. The channel also carries South American competitions including the Copa Libertadores, Argentina League and Brazil Serie A, as well as select basketball and other international sports content.
Elias Gallego, Vice President of Business Development, Marketing and Media at Sporty Group, said: “Launching SportyTV on DStv and GOtv allows us to extend our reach and bring a broader range of sports content to viewers across Africa.”
SportyTV will also carry dedicated club channels including Real Madrid TV, Arsenal TV, Chelsea TV and Manchester City TV. Additional content includes coverage from leagues in Greece and Saudi Arabia, alongside basketball programming featuring the NBA.
The channel launched on 10 June 2026 and is available in HD on DStv channel 236 and GOtv channel 58 in Nigeria.
Brands/Products
Sachet Alcohol Ban: NAFDAC Targets Distributors, Retailers in Second Phase of Enforcement
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has unveiled plans to commence the second phase of enforcement of its ban on sachet alcohol and small-pack alcoholic beverages, targeting distributors and retailers.
The regulator said it had completed the first phase of enforcement targeted at manufacturers, while plans were already in motion to begin the second phase of enforcement.
The agency began enforcement of the ban on sachet and 200ml PET bottle alcoholic drinks in January.
The enforcement, which generated mixed reactions, according to NAFDAC, was necessitated to align the country with global health standards and Sustainable Development Goal 3.5 on reducing harmful alcohol consumption.
The agency also said the decision was taken to ensure that children do not have access to alcohol and to prevent long-term health problems associated with its consumption.
Mr Martins Iluyomade, Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, warned at a news conference in Lagos that distributors and sellers found violating the law would face sanctions once the enforcement begins.
“We have finished removing the products from manufacturers, and we are now moving to the next phase, which is removing them from the market.
“We will investigate how these products are still finding their way into circulation and take appropriate action,” he said.
He emphasised that the nation’s law empowers NAFDAC not only to regulate the manufacture and sale of regulated products but also their use.
“The law gives us authority over manufacture, sale, distribution and use. Consumers should be aware that using products that have been prohibited also places them on the wrong side of the law,” he said.
The director urged market operators who still stock sachet alcohol and other prohibited products to discontinue sales before enforcement begins.
“We have given ample notice. Those who have invested money in these products should take steps now because nobody should accuse NAFDAC of economic sabotage when enforcement starts,” he added.
Mr Iluyomade, also Chairman of the Federal Taskforce, said that the agency would go after advertisers and online vendors promoting unregistered products or making unapproved health claims.
He explained that registered products could be advertised only after obtaining the necessary approvals from the agency.
“Before advertising a regulated product, marketers must obtain NAFDAC approval. This ensures that only approved claims are made about the product.
“Any advertisement that goes beyond what has been approved is a serious offence,” he said.
He further cautioned social media operators, e-commerce platforms and website owners against allowing their platforms to be used for the promotion of unregistered products.
“Whether you are a physical vendor or an online vendor, if your platform is used to advertise unregistered products or products without advertisement permits, we will come after you.
“Many false claims are being made online, and we are determined to stop them,” he said.
The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting public health through strict enforcement of existing regulations and urged Nigerians to comply with the law.
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