In today’s business environment, corporate reputation has become one of an organisation’s most valuable assets. Behind many successful brands are communication professionals who understand how to build trust, manage perceptions, and create meaningful stakeholder engagement. Olumuyiwa George Akande, simply known as Muyiwa Akande, is one of those professionals.
https://www.digital.zenithbank.com/ZEQ/ZEQ-jan-2026/index.html#p=1With more than 20 years of experience spanning journalism, public relations, corporate communications, business development, client management, and digital marketing, Akande has established himself as one of Nigeria’s respected corporate communications leaders. His career reflects a rare blend of newsroom experience, agency excellence, and corporate leadership, enabling him to craft impactful communication strategies that support business growth and organisational reputation.
Currently serving as Group Head, Corporate Communications at SIFAX Group, Akande oversees the communications strategy of one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous conglomerates, with business interests spanning Maritime, Aviation, Oil & Gas, Haulage, Financial Services, and Hospitality across Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the United States. In this role, he drives strategic storytelling, media engagement, corporate branding, stakeholder relations, event management and reputation management for a business with a growing international footprint.
His professional journey began in journalism, where he worked as a reporter with The Comet Newspaper, now known as The Nation. His years in the newsroom provided him with a solid understanding of news gathering, editorial processes, and media dynamics, skills that would later become invaluable in his public relations career.
Driven by a passion for strategic communication, he transitioned into public relations by joining Mediacraft Associates Limited, one of Nigeria’s foremost public relations consultancies. Through dedication, strategic thinking, and exceptional client service, he rose through the ranks to become a PR Account Director, managing integrated communication campaigns for some of Nigeria’s biggest and most respected brands.
Throughout his agency career, Akande led communication initiatives for high-profile organisations across multiple sectors, including ExxonMobil, Diamond Bank, Huawei, and Avon HMO, among others.
His work involved developing communication strategies, managing media relations, coordinating corporate and retail PR campaigns, supporting regulatory and government engagement, executing sponsorship programmes, driving corporate social responsibility initiatives, organising major events, and strengthening brand visibility.
These experiences equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of how strategic communication contributes to business success, stakeholder confidence, and long-term corporate sustainability.
At SIFAX Group, George has continued to demonstrate his expertise by positioning the organisation as one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous conglomerates with a strong corporate identity and consistent public visibility.
He leads the development and execution of communication strategies that support business objectives, strengthen stakeholder relationships, manage corporate reputation, and enhance brand equity across the Group’s diverse business portfolio.
His leadership has contributed to elevating SIFAX Group’s public profile while reinforcing its reputation as a trusted player in Nigeria’s maritime, aviation, logistics, and energy sectors.
George’s professional expertise covers virtually every aspect of modern corporate communications. His core competencies include: Corporate Communications Strategy, Media Relations, Digital Communications, Regulatory and Government Relations, Corporate and Retail Public Relations. Others are Corporate Social Responsibility, Sponsorship Management, Event Planning and Management, Corporate Branding, Stakeholder Engagement and Reputation Management.
Recognising that communications is constantly evolving, Akande has consistently invested in professional development.
He earned a degree in Linguistics from the University of Ilorin, providing a strong academic foundation in language, communication, and human interaction.
To further strengthen his expertise, he obtained a Certificate in Advanced Business Communications from the School of Media and Communication, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, before completing an Executive Master’s Degree in Corporate Communications Management from the Rome Business School, further expanding his strategic leadership capabilities in global communications.
He is also a proud member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), demonstrating his commitment to professional ethics and excellence within the communications profession.
As part of his strategy of building budding communications professionals, he founded the Communicators Mentorship Hub. He was recognised in the 2026 PR Power List, an initiative by GLG Communications in partnership with The Guardian, celebrating 50 PR and Communications professionals
Akande Olumuyiwa George belongs to a generation of communication professionals who understand that corporate communication is no longer limited to media relations. Today, it is about building trust, protecting reputation, creating stakeholder value, and enabling sustainable business growth.
His journey, from journalist to agency executive and now communications leader within one of Nigeria’s foremost conglomerates, illustrates the impact of strategic thinking, continuous learning, and professional excellence.
As organisations increasingly recognise communication as a critical business function, Akande continues to demonstrate how purposeful storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management can shape institutions, inspire confidence, and drive long-term success.
