Lagos, Nigeria – October 2, 2026
DDNewsOnline
The Institute of Channel Distribution and Direct Sales (ICDDS) has formally launched in Lagos with a strong call for improved professional standards in sales, distribution and commerce in Nigeria.
The historic inaugural ceremony, which commenced shortly after 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja, was anchored by Motunrayo Raheem, who welcomed distinguished guests and introduced ICDDS as a professional body committed to empowering individuals and organisations through world-class training in sales and distribution.
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The programme opened with the rendition of the National Anthem, followed by an opening prayer led by Pastor Ebong.
In his welcome address, the President of the Institute, Oladapo Siwoku Santos, said the formal launch of ICDDS was aimed at encouraging improved business practices in commerce and building an institute that would earn global respect while contributing meaningfully to nation-building.
A major highlight of the event was the swearing-in of the President and members of the Governing Council.
The council members were called to the stage and their oath of office was administered by a lawyer, after which the President was subsequently sworn in to lead the Institute.
The event featured three insightful keynote presentations.
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The first speaker, Dr. Ajiborode Abiodun, spoke on the relationship between marketing and sales within an organisation. He described marketing as the “engine” of an organisation and sales personnel as the “wheels,” stressing the transactional and result-driven nature of sales.
The second speaker, Mr. Wole Ogundare, Founder and Managing Partner of Carthena Advisory, delivered a paper titled “The Channel is the Country’s Real Distribution Infrastructure.”
Ogundare argued that Nigeria’s major challenge is not lack of demand, but systemic weaknesses in distribution and margins.
“Nigeria doesn’t have a demand problem. It has a distribution and margin problem, and that one is solvable,” he said.
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The third and final speaker, Mr. Rohan Mehta, Sales Director at Olam Agric (Caraway), addressed digital commerce innovation and the future of market access, highlighting how digital solutions are reshaping how businesses reach and serve consumers.
Another key moment was the inauguration of the Board of Trustees. Members were announced individually and decorated with lapels by the President of the Institute, Oladapo Siwoku Santos.
The newly inducted members also took the fellowship oath as part of the formal proceedings.
The event concluded with a closing address by the President of ICDDS, bringing the inaugural ceremony to a successful close.
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Stakeholders present described the launch as a timely intervention to professionalise the sales and distribution ecosystem in Nigeria.
The ceremony was held under the theme “Integrated Commerce and Channel Distribution: Catalysts for Nation Building,” underscoring the institute’s focus on elevating standards, ethics, certification and continuous professional development in the sector.