Anietie Udoh, ,Divisional Director, Marketing at Marketing Edge Magazine, has challenged students of Caleb University to intentionally build personal brands that reflect their values, strengths and professional aspirations, stressing that reputation remains one of the most valuable assets anyone can possess.
Udoh delivered the charge while speaking as a guest speaker at a programme themed “A Brand Called You: Be You, Be the Brand, Own Your Identity,” held on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the College of Communication and Media Studies, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos.
The event, organised by 400-Level Public Relations and Advertising students, was designed to expose undergraduates to the importance of personal branding, professional identity and career development. It also featured a panel discussion and interview session where speakers shared personal experiences of resilience, perseverance and growth.
Caleb University, the first private university licensed in Lagos State, is committed to providing quality education that responds to industry needs while producing graduates equipped for professional excellence.
Speaking on the theme, Udoh explained that a personal brand goes beyond appearance or social media popularity, describing it as the impression people form through consistent actions and character.
“A brand is the feeling people get when they encounter you. It is the promise you consistently keep, your reputation built one interaction at a time, and what people say about you when you leave the room,” he said.
Drawing lessons from business leaders and accomplished Nigerians, Udoh encouraged students to pursue clarity, consistency and courage in building their identities. Using Africa’s richest businessman, Aliko Dangote, as an example, he noted that great brands are built through focus and unwavering commitment over many years.
He also shared his personal journey in the marketing and communications industry, recounting how repeated setbacks, including rejected business pitches and the loss of a major client, eventually became defining moments that strengthened his career.
“The things that almost broke me are the things that built my brand. Every setback forced me to reinvent myself and discover my unique voice,” he said.
Udoh urged the students not to allow temporary failures to define their future, citing the stories of Burna Boy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as examples of individuals who transformed rejection into global recognition through resilience and authenticity.
He further challenged participants to define themselves before society does, stressing that every strong personal brand is built on three pillars—values, voice and visual identity.
According to him, students must deliberately communicate who they are both offline and online, particularly on professional platforms such as LinkedIn, which he described as today’s digital first impression.
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“Our generation has no excuse for remaining invisible. Build your reputation before you need it. Be intentional about the value you create because your brand is your greatest career asset,” Udoh said.
Other speakers and panelists at the event included Associate Professor Kayode Okunade, Dean of the College of Communication and Media Studies; Dr. Sunday Ogbonna, Head of the Department of Mass Communication; Dr. Ayisha Olanrewaju, Chief Executive Officer of Corporately Lucid; Sunday Ayetutu, Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Lagos Chapter; and Bishop Odukoya of Acceler8ed Marketing.
The programme provided students with practical insights into personal branding, career development and leadership, while encouraging them to take ownership of their identities as future communication and media professionals.
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