Susan Abayomi
Interswitch Group has reaffirmed its commitment to the growth and transformation of Nigeria’s media industry, supporting the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN).
The AGM, held in Ogun State, was themed “Monetising Tomorrow: Outpacing Disruption, Capturing Growth in the Next Era of Media.” The gathering brought together industry stakeholders to examine the changing media landscape and explore strategies for sustainable growth.
Speaking on Interswitch’s partnership with MIPAN, Tomi Ogunlesi, Divisional Head, Brands, Communications and CSR at Interswitch, said the rapid convergence of media, technology and marketing was changing traditional industry boundaries.
Ogunlesi noted that developments such as the growth of influencer networks, the emergence of platforms with media capabilities and the increasing importance of data were creating new opportunities as well as challenges for businesses and practitioners.
He stressed that media practitioners needed to remain agile and willing to rethink established approaches as technology and consumer behaviour continued to reshape the industry.
According to him, the changing environment requires businesses to look beyond conventional models and identify new ways of creating and capturing value.
The Interswitch executive also pointed to the company’s own experience of adapting to changes in Africa’s digital economy, noting that its evolution over more than two decades has involved challenging existing assumptions and developing new business models in response to changing market conditions.
For the media industry, he said, the changing environment presents an opportunity to reconsider what constitutes value and explore alternative revenue streams, strategic partnerships, products and platforms.
The discussions at the MIPAN AGM also reflected broader concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence, technology, changing audience behaviour and increasing demands for accountability on the media and advertising ecosystem.
Keynote speaker Steve Babaeko, Group Chief Executive Officer and Chief Creative Officer of X3M Ideas, challenged media practitioners to build greater ownership of local data, audience intelligence and the understanding of Nigerian consumers as the industry navigates increasing automation.
The AGM provided a platform for stakeholders from media agencies, advertising, marketing and related sectors to exchange ideas on building resilient businesses and identifying new opportunities for growth.
Interswitch said it would continue to support platforms that promote dialogue, innovation, professional excellence and stronger industry ecosystems across Africa.
The company also encouraged media practitioners to approach disruption as an opportunity for reinvention and to develop sustainable business models capable of delivering long-term value in an increasingly competitive environment.
