The Birth of World Managers’ Appreciation Day: Recognizing the Unsung Heroes of Corporate Success

On March 25, 2025, Nigeria witnessed the launch of an initiative poised to become a global movement: World Managers’ Appreciation Day (WMAD). Created through a partnership between Business Leadership & Innovation Management (BLIM) and Ideas House, this annual observance aims to celebrate managers who excel at nurturing professional talent.

“WMAD is an initiative that recognises and celebrates outstanding managers who have demonstrated very commendable traits in nurturing talents committed to them,” explained Abiodun Ajiborode, highlighting that “the perpetual neglect of these charismatic managers is long overdue” (BusinessDay NG, 2025).

The inaugural edition featured a virtual roundtable discussion titled ‘Becoming a Great and Impactful Manager of People,’ bringing together prominent business and leadership experts including Alex Goma, Enobong Ezekiel, Emmanuel Agu, Kehinde Salami, and Abiodun Ajiborode.

What distinguishes WMAD from other corporate observances is its focus on line managers – the professionals directly responsible for guiding teams, making strategic decisions, and delivering organizational results. As Kehinde Salami, CEO of Ideas House Limited, noted, while “the corporate calendar [is] filled with numerous dates to celebrate key stakeholders in the corporate world… none was dedicated to recognising impactful line managers” (BusinessDay NG, 2025).

The initiative encourages employees to express appreciation for current or past managers who have positively impacted their careers. Through the WMAD website, individuals can order gift items as tokens of gratitude, creating a culture of recognition that extends beyond a single day.

While starting in Nigeria, WMAD’s founders envision it becoming a global movement, with corporate brands and government institutions embracing the concept and celebrating the day in their respective organizations.

As we look toward March 25, 2026, the question remains: How will you recognize the managers who have shaped your professional journey?