Nigeria is a fast-growing market for all kinds of business and indeed investors, also from the international community are cashing in on the opportunities available. ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM and PAUL CHIAMA write on some of Nigeria’s celebrities raking in millions from the business of companies contracting them as their brand ambassadors.
Telecommunication giants like Globacom, Etisalat, Airtel and MTN are among big brand names that have taken to using Nigerian celebrities to promote their products. Celebrities like Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Ali Nuhu and Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha have promoted other brands too, like Onga, Omo, Harpic, Pepsi and Amstel Malt.
Globacom, for example, owned by Chief Mike Adenuga, has signed up almost every personality of note at one time or the other as its brand ambassadors.
Here follows a list of the top ‘advert millionaires’.
Ali Nuhu: This top northern movie star and Glo brand ambassador also hit another deal as the sole Samsung Mobile Nigeria brand ambassador. He signed a one-year endorsement deal with the communication outfit.
The company is said to have signed out billions of naira in endorsement deals with other celebrities as well.
Hafiz Oyetoro: The famous actor, popularly known as Saka, has had Nigerians all over talking about him since he was contracted to lead a major advertising campaign to drive the network portability initiative of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC). The deal is believed to be worth about N20million, enough to give the hardworking and self-effacing actor a really clean break.
P-Square: When news filtered out that P-Square had signed a multi-million naira deal with Globacom, people thought it was just a rumour. After months of speculation though, the talented duo was officially announced as Glo ambassador. During the ceremony, Peter and Paul Okoye (the P-Square twins) were presented their official Glo jerseys and introduced to the rest of the Glo family, which includes other Glo ambassadors who had their contracts to promote the brand renewed on the same day. The deal, it was gathered was worth N34million and the artistes have been working ever since with the company, promoting the brand through adverts and also concerts that feature other celebrities.
Ali Nuhu: Ali Nuhu is the most celebrated Hausa actor in northern Nigeria. He is one actor who is successfully holding his own in both Kannywood and Nollywood, starring in movies alongside other prominent figures in the industry. Today, Nuhu is one of the ‘faces’ of Globacom.
Sani Danja: Sani Danja is another Kannywood celebrity who represents telecoms brand, Glo. He is currently doing very well combining music and acting and has featured a number of notable artistes in his songs.
Desmond Elliot: Desmond Elliot, who could be said to be the personification of success in the Nollywood industry, is also one of the big celebrity names taken on by Glo as a brand ambassador. His ambition to vie for political office has not stopped him from working hard and being a face of the brand.
Basketmouth: Ace comedian Basketmouth is now the sole anchor for Globacom events, touring cities across the nation. He has helped to shape the image of the brand, even as the brand has helped to shape him! He once said that he can’t deny the amount he has made from working for Glo.
Ini Edo: Pretty and talented actress Ini Edo has also obviously made a fortune from being a Glo ambassador, as she can be seen in their adverts, at their seminars and press conferences, and on their tours.
Monalisa Chinda: Like Ini, Monalisa is also a regular feature in Glo adverts and promos.
Funke Akindele: The funny, creative Nollywood and Yoruba movie genre actress adds colour and humour to Glo’s adverts, even as the brand also keeps her smiling… To the bank!
Mohammed Yakubu: Mohammed is another northern star representing the Glo brand.
D’Banj (Kokomaster): Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo a.k.a D’Banj is a brand ambassador for Glo and also advertises for Chris Aire, world-renowned celebrity jeweller.
Original Stereoman (Ekwe): Ekwe made some cool cash from Glo as a brand ambassador, but his contract was not renewed due to certain circumstances. His alleged killing of his wife really dented his image and a comeback might, therefore, be difficult.
Mike Ezuruonye: When Mike was announced as the brand ambassador for Airtel, people thought he had betrayed Glo that he had made millions of naira from, not knowing that his contract with them was not renewed. Airtel snapped him up and so he continues to rake in the big bucks from adverts and endorsements for the company.
He has told anyone who cares to listen that his favourite colour is no longer green but red.
Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha: This alluring, hardworking and articulate Nollywood actress from Oraifite in Anambra State is an award-winning personality with such prestigious awards as the 2007 Best Actress in a Leading Role (African Movie Academy Awards). She clinched a multi-million naira deal with Glo and since then has been one of the faces of the brand. Chioma also represents brands like Omo and Harpic.
Flavour: Globacom has said that it is proud of urban highlife crooner Izuchukwu Chinedu Okolie, popularly known as Flavour, as its brand ambassador. The musician won the Best Live Act on Stage award at the 2014 edition of the MTV African Music Awards (MAMA), held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Jamila Nagudu: Jamila’s face can be seen on many billboards, especially across the northern part of the country, flying the flag for Glo and its products.
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