Yomi Badejo-Okusanya

Yomi Badejo-Okusanya FNIPR (YBO as he is fondly called), is a consummate Public Relations practitioner with over 30 years’ experience covering advertising and marketing. Although his degree is in History from the University of Benin, he is also a Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing, Nigeria.

YBO has helped shaped the path of Public Relations consulting in Nigeria by pioneering the practice of perception management in the sector. As the Lead Partner of CMC Connect LLP (Perception Consulting) which he founded in 1992. He successfully led the business in securing the most coveted affiliation from the 3rd largest global Public Relations network, BCW. CMC Connect LLP operates in 4 major service areas which are Public Affairs, the Digital PR, Strategy & Intelligence and Brands & Corporate.

YBO’s experience cuts across corporate communications, government relations, marketing public relations, financial public relations and crisis management which has seen him consult for many organizations and governments, such as, the first female elected President in Africa, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia.

He became a recipient of the prestigious Public Relations Golden Eagle Award as the Most Outstanding Public Relations Person of the Year 2010. He was the first recipient of the Bob Ogbuagu Leadership Award (2017) for positively impacting the Nigerian PR profession and inspiring younger practitioners. He was inducted the Brandcom Awards Hall of Fame in the year 2021, ICCO PR Hall of Fame 2021 and also received the Global Alliance Global ICON Award 2022. Most recently, he was named the PR Powerlist ICON of the Year 2023 by GLG Communications.

YBO is a two-term Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and was a member of its National Governing Council. He became the Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) in 2011 and in December 2016, he was also appointed a board member of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) for 2017 and 2018. He went on to serve as a two-term president of the Africa Public Relations Association (APRA) from 2016-2023. He currently chairs the West African Group of the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA).

As a veteran in the field of public relations, YBO is passionate to bring Africa into the mainstream of global Public Relations practice especially through his emerging non-governmental organization, Affirmative Public Relations Africa.

In recognition of his immense contribution to the profession in Nigeria and Africa, His Royal Majesty Oba (DR) Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso, Karunwi III, the Osile Oke Ona Egba, in February 2023 conferred on him the traditional title of Bobakede of Oke Ona Egba, and on his lovely wife Oyinkan, the Erelu Bobakede.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Perception himself, Oluyomi Badejo-Okusanya!!