Chinwe Bode-Akinwande (CBA)

Chinwe Bode-Akinwande (CBA) is a seasoned and passionate marketing communications professional whose career spans over two decades of rich, diverse experience across the public and private sectors. She is known not just for her strategic brilliance and innovative mindset, but also for her deep commitment to impact and purpose.

With a solid track record in brand communication, marketing strategy, digital engagement, and humanitarian advocacy, CBA has carved a niche as one of the most respected voices in her industry. Her influence was recognized by Women in Marketing & Communication Conference/Awards (WIMCA), where she was named among the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Marketing and Corporate Communications in both 2023 and 2024. In 2025, she was also celebrated as a Leading Ladies Africa 100 Women Honoree, affirming her position as a powerhouse in the marketing landscape.

Currently, she serves as the Head of Sponsorships, Partnerships, Events, and Collaborations at FirstBank—while also wearing the second hat of leading the Digital Marketing division. Her career journey includes impactful roles at organizations such as UNICEF, where she headed Product Line & Marketing; Zmirage Multi-Media Limited and Selcroft Associates, where she led Corporate Communications; and earlier roles at Ibeto Group and LynxTronix Computers, where she honed her craft.

CBA is also a prolific author, with four published books to her name. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance and a Master’s in Business Administration (Marketing specialization) from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her thirst for growth and relevance has seen her earn professional certifications from Hootsuite Academy (Social Media Marketing), Austin University, Texas (Strategic Brand Management), EduPristine USA (Digital Marketing), and the Harvard School of Continued Education, Boston (Consulting).

She is a Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), a full member of the Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria (ISMN), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and a full member of the Sustainability Professionals Institute of Nigeria (SPIN).

But beyond the boardroom, Chinwe’s heart beats for humanity. She is a Pastor, Co-founder of Singles Connect, and Founder of the Chinwe Bode-Akinwande Foundation (CBAFoundation)—a not-for-profit organization that advocates for and supports underprivileged widows and their children through a five-point agenda that has positively impacted over 11,400 lives and counting. She is also the host of “Hope for the Widow”, a widely followed podcast that reaches over 40,000 listeners, offering encouragement and support to widows navigating life after loss.

Chinwe Bode-Akinwande is not just a professional—she is a force of nature, a voice of hope, and a woman on a mission to leave every space better than she found it.