In what has been described as a noteworthy development for the marketing communications ecosystem, Olumide Balogun, a seasoned professional in the space, has been elevated to the position of Director, West Africa at Google.
In his new position, Olumide who assumed the role this month, is expected to steer the growth and expansion of Google’s footprint across West Africa, in addition to other strategic responsibilities.
Olumide took over the reins of the leadership position for West Africa, succeeding Juliet Ehimuan, who has left the services of the American multinational technology giant known for its contributions in artificial intelligence, online advertising, search engine technology, cloud computing, software development, quantum computing, e-commerce, and consumer electronics.
His rise to the directorial position comes from his previous role within the company as Head of Consumer Apps for Sub-Saharan Africa, a position he adeptly managed for over four years. During this tenure, he played a pivotal role in driving the adoption, growth, and retention of Google’s consumer services throughout the African continent.
Prior to his time at Google, he served as the Head of Marketing for HMD Global-West Africa, a Finnish multinational mobile phone manufacturer renowned for the iconic Nokia phone brand. His contributions spanned nearly three years before he transitioned from the role.
His career journey also includes his role as the Head of Marketing at Microsoft Corporation, another prominent American multinational technology entity. In this capacity, he led the marketing initiatives and teams across West Africa’s focus countries, orchestrating the realization of both short-term and long-term business objectives.
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Olumide embarked on his professional path in 2006 at IL-Systems Limited, where he commenced as a Software Development Engineer. Subsequently, he joined Nokia as a Product Marketing Specialist two years later. His exceptional performance led to his progression to the role of Senior Manager, Product Marketing for West and Central Africa. After a productive tenure of over five years at Nokia, Olumide pursued new horizons by joining Microsoft.
His academic accomplishments encompass an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from Imperial College London, a Diploma in Sustainable Business Strategies from Harvard Business School, and a B.Sc in Computer Engineering from the esteemed Obafemi Awolowo University. He additionally boasts certifications from prestigious international institutions, including the GIBS Business School, where he was a participant in the Africa Top Leaders Programme, among other notable achievements.
