Ufot is the group managing director of SO&U, one of Africa’s foremost marketing communications groups.

The announcement was made in a statement on Friday. It follows the recent confirmation that the summit will take place on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, Ikeja, Lagos.

Themed “Financing as Catalysts for a Thriving Creative Economy,” the summit will bring together key figures in the creative space—including industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and emerging talents—to discuss ways to boost the sector’s growth and sustainability.

Olumide Iyanda, chief executive officer of Mighty Media Plus Network Limited and Convener of the summit, said Ufot’s career achievements and support for the creative economy make him an ideal choice.

“The summit will explore innovative funding solutions, fostering partnerships between creatives and investors, and provide tools for effective financial management. It will also serve as a space for collaboration between creatives, industry leaders, and policymakers to drive sustainable growth,” Iyanda said.

He recalled Ufot’s long-standing relationship with QEDNG, dating back to the platform’s launch in 2014. According to him, Ufot’s guidance and encouragement helped shape QEDNG’s direction and identity.

“Mr Ufot’s position as chairman will underscore his role as a thought leader and champion of Nigeria’s creative industry. His leadership and insights will inspire participants to pursue innovation and excellence, reinforcing the importance of strategic collaboration. It will also highlight his pivotal contributions to the advancement of the creative sector in Nigeria,” Iyanda added.

Ufot began his career in 1984 at Insight Communications, where he rose to the position of Deputy Creative Director (Art). In 1989, he joined CASERS as Creative Director.

Just six months later, he co-founded SO&U, which has since become one of Nigeria’s most respected advertising agencies.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and has also completed programmes at the Swedish Institute of Management and the Lagos Business School.

Over the years, Ufot has held several leadership roles in the industry. He served as President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) and Chairman of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON).

He also chairs the Board of the Policy Innovation Centre, sits on the board of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), and co-chairs its Policy Commission on Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Creative Industries and Sports (THECS).

Ufot is committed to developing future industry leaders. He mentors young professionals and lectures at the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, where he chairs the advisory board.

He is a past President of the Lagos Business School Alumni Association and former Board Chair of LEAP Africa, a non-profit organisation focused on youth leadership and entrepreneurship. He also serves on the board of Special Olympics Nigeria.

In 2014, the Federal Government of Nigeria honoured him with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for his contributions to the corporate sector.

The QEDNG Creative Powerhouse Summit is open to a broad audience, including artists, filmmakers, musicians, designers, advertisers, academics, and financial institutions.

It is expected to be a landmark event for collaboration, innovation, and investment in Nigeria’s creative economy.

The program is designed to tackle inequality and exclusion in society by providing quality training in technology for young people, including people living with disabilities and those from lower-income backgrounds.

“The uniqueness of ‘Codeable’ is the provision of unified technology training that allows people with and without intellectual disabilities equal access to skills that enable self and economic empowerment,” says Naomi Ejobe, National Director, Special Olympics Nigeria.

Ïor a minimum of three months, both organisations, in collaboration, will help participants acquire basic proficiency in programming, quality assurance, and product management, alongside soft skills to boost their employability and readiness for the workforce.

Codeable will launch on Ğuly 14, 2022, with a pioneer cohort of 26 youths. Within the next three years, the Codeable initiative plans to run two annual cohorts with the aim of training at least 150 youth with and without intellectual disabilities who would typically be excluded from accessing quality technology education.

In addition, Codeable will also o½er participants the opportunities for internship placements at SeamlessHR and various other companies that join the partnership for future programs.

“The participants will earn valuable and relevant skills in demand, improving their chances of finding meaningful employment in technology sectors and beyond,” says Adetoun Akinsunmi, who leads the Codeable initiative.

“As a technology company, we understand the importance of tech skills in the labour market,” comments SeamlessHR’s CEO, Emmanuel Okeleji. “Codeable helps us give back to society in a significant way-so the project is very dear to us.”

With technology fast becoming a pillar of society and everyday life, tech skills are essential for anyone looking to earn a living, be relevant in society, and even participate actively in economic activities. About one in six people worldwide live with a disability.

This segment of the population also faces economic exclusion, and are 50% less likely to get jobs. Therefore, they must be provided unique opportunities and training that improves their chances of securing job opportunities.

Without carrying along this disadvantaged section of the population, society will be limiting the contribution of over a billion people to the world’s development.

The International Labour Organisation states that excluding people with disabilities from the workforce can lead to a loss in CDP of up to 7%.

Similarly, as many as 4 in 10 Nigerians live below the national poverty line, and ironically, technology has also been highlighted as a vital tool in fighting poverty.

Thus, Codeable is being launched to demonstrate the importance of inclusion and its potential to create a better society.