Israel Jaiye Opayemi is Chain Reactions Africa’s Managing Director (MD). He provides overall leadership on strategy development, issues and crises advisory, government relations and partnership building for our key clients. He is the founding CEO of Image Savvy Limited, a media services consulting firm in 2007 and MD of Wisdom Keys Nigeria, a business marketing communications consulting firm and Member of the Wisdom Keys Group South Africa from 2008 to 2010. In March 2010, Opayemi became MD/Chief Strategist of Chain Reactions Africa, a public relations and integrated marketing communications consulting firm. He is a consummate strategist and crisis communications specialist who helps clients cut through corporate complexities. His audacity and confidence in times of crisis help our clients find their ways in the storm and build a stronger reputation post-crisis.
Israel Opayemi obtained a BA (Hons) Degree in Philosophy and Masters Degree in Political Science from the University of Lagos. He also attended several bespoke training programmes in PR and communications in and outside of Nigeria.
Opayemi began his professional career as a freelance copywriter, content developer and speechwriter to several boutique marketing communications agencies, medium-sized businesses and public sector clients in Nigeria. He served as Chief Press Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State from 2002 to 2003; Special Assistant on Public Affairs in the Governor’s Office with responsibility for public affairs strategy development and public communications including speech writing from 2003 to 2007.
Opayemi provides overall strategic leadership for our consulting teams across sectors. He is directly responsible for executive counsel and advisory to public sector clients such as the former Governor of Lagos State and Nigeria’s current Minister for Works & Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), the current Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Kayode Fayemi; CEOs and C-Suite Leadership across multiple sectors such Dubai Tourism, GE, FBN Holdings, Polaris Bank, Lafarge Africa, 9mobile, Facebook.
He is a storyteller with seasoned expertise for overarching narrative development for brands, copywriting, radio, television and documentary production. With 26 years of unbroken practice experience spanning public and private sectors, Opayemi has built an unmatched network of influence within the government and regulatory affairs spheres in Nigeria to build Chain Reactions public affairs practice, second to none in Nigeria.
He is one of the leaders of the public relations industry in Nigeria where he is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). He has also served as Publicity Secretary of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) and is currently its President. He is currently a Board Member of the International Advertising Association (IAA) in Nigeria. He is a highly sought-after conference speaker locally and internationally.