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Hauwa Yakubu is a multi-award-winning Marketing and Digital Executive with a distinguished career in mentoring and coaching talent in tech. Currently serving as the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) at Kugali Media, she is also the Founder, Creative and Marketing Director of Freelancers.co, a media startup dedicated to raising brand awareness for nonprofits and charities across the UK documenting dignitaries such as HM King Charles, The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan amongst others. With over a decade of experience across EMEA, Hauwa has delivered impactful results for international brands and startups. She is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in tech, mentoring the next generation of talent, particularly young girls and nonbinary individuals. As a global ambassador for Women in Tech, she volunteers with organizations such as WomenTech UK, Cherry on Tech, ADPlist, and MicroMentor, extending mentorship opportunities to entrepreneurs and founders in 14 countries.

 

Hauwa earned a Distinction in her master’s degree in Digital Video Production and Marketing from the University of Salford. Originally from Nigeria, she combines expertise in digital media, product management, and public relations to promote inclusivity and pave the way for future generations. As a writer for Africa's leading media publisher, Pulse, Hauwa reaches millions of readers across the continent and diaspora. At Kugali, she spearheads global collaborations with brands such as Walt Disney and Snapchat, including using Augmented Reality (AR) lenses to celebrate Black footballers and showcase African heritage at Wembley Stadium. This Snapchat campaign was named one of the Top 10 Campaigns of 2022.

 

In her earlier roles, Hauwa was instrumental in driving innovation as the first digital marketing manager at Cyberspace Limited in Nigeria. She led the redesign of multiple brands, websites, enhancing search visibility, and championed initiatives such as the first cloud computing platform in Sub-Saharan Africa and the launch of a fintech subsidiary. Her contributions to impactful tech solutions and campaigns have earned her international recognition, including being named one of the UK’s Top 100 Women in Tech 2024 (powered by Barclays UK) and receiving the highly commended Rising Star in the 2024 Alumni Achievements Award from the University of Salford, representing the school of Arts, Media and Creative Technologies.

 

Beyond her professional achievements, Hauwa dedicates her time to volunteering with FareShare UK, raising awareness of the food crisis. She was named one of the UK’s Top 100 Most Influential and Impactful African Business Leaders in 2022 and has served in prestigious roles such as a 30 Under 30 Media Week Judge (2023), Women in Tech Global Speaker, and Expert Judge for the UK Performance Marketing Awards. Her contributions to product management and social impact earned her recognition from Nigerian Women Magazine during International Women’s Day 2023. She recently won the Inspiring Leader in STEAM Award for the Globant Awards 2023, representing the UK region.

 

Hauwa attributes her success to her parents, who have been her unwavering support system, and her siblings, who have always been her bedrock. Their love and encouragement have been the foundation of her accomplishments.